The University of Washington?s Tech Policy Lab invites applications for a 2-year Postdoctoral Scholar position in "AI Alignment with Ethical Principles." The position is set to begin as early as June 2025. We will consider candidates who have accepted tenure-track positions at another institution but with the ability to defer their start date.

Directed by faculty from the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, the Information School, and the School of Law, the Tech Policy Lab aims to bridge the gap between technologists and policymakers, and to help generate wiser, more inclusive tech policy. The selected Postdoctoral Scholar will work closely with Professor Aylin Caliskan, with opportunities to collaborate with other Tech Policy Lab co-directors. Primary responsibilities of the postdoctoral scholar include:

• Develop and conduct research focused on language technologies to align AI systems with ethical principles, reduce harm, and benefit all.
• Create methods to measure and analyze societal impact, bias, and fairness in unimodal and multimodal language technologies, as well as in human-AI interactions.
• Design and implement approaches to enhance fairness and transparency, and manage risks in generative AI and human-AI collaboration, with a focus on consequential decision making and their implications for tech policy.
• Advise PhD students, master?s students, and undergraduates in the Tech Policy Lab and the AI & Ethics Lab, as appropriate.
• Author, publish, and disseminate research findings in academic and public forums.
• Contribute to additional research duties as needed.

We encourage candidates with diverse perspectives and expertise to apply, particularly those interested in shaping the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies.

Postdoctoral Scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Salary and Benefits

The University of Washington offers a competitive benefits package. For information about employee benefits please visit https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/

Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. See current salary scale for Postdoctoral titles at https://hr.uw.edu/labor/academic-and-student-unions/uaw-postdocs/uaw-postdoc-contract

The base salary range for this Postdoctoral Scholar position is $6,500 to $7,000 per month ($78,000 to $84,000 per 12-month academic year), commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

The position is hosted by the University of Washington, a world-class research university in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington is located in Seattle, Washington, on the homelands of the Coast Salish peoples whose land touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations. The successful candidate will join a broad-based, inclusive lab, whose faculty members pursue their research, teaching, and service across multiple degree programs and are committed to leadership, innovation, social justice and upholding tribal sovereignty.

Postdoctoral Scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Minimal Qualifications 

• Skills and expertise in one or more of the following areas: natural language processing, machine learning, multimodality, computer vision, quantitative method development, human-AI collaboration, human subject experiments, cognitive science, ethics, tech policy
• Applicants must have a PhD or foreign equivalent by date of appointment.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, including demonstrated success in working with diverse populations

Application Materials 

• Cover Letter describing your interest in this position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three references
• A research statement that outlines your research achievements and goals
• Two published papers, or equivalent writing samples that demonstrate expertise and fit for the position.
• A link to a professional webpage, Google scholar page, and github profile (or a link to programming projects).

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  The first review will take place on 3/28/2025.  Interested candidates should contact Aylin Caliskan at aylin@uw.edu

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University?s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member?s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

About University of Washington

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest public institutions in the west coast and one of the preeminent research universities in the world. The University of Washington is a multi-campus university comprised of three different campuses: Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell. The Seattle campus is made up of sixteen schools and colleges that serve students ranging from an undergraduate level to a doctoral level. The university is home to world-class libraries, arts, music, drama, and sports, as well as the highest quality medical care in Washington State and a world-class academic medical center. The teaching and research of the University’s many professional schools provide undergraduate and graduate students the education necessary toward achieving an excellence that will serve the state, the region, and the nation. As part of a large and diverse community, the University of Washington serves more students than any other institution in the Northwest.

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