Job Description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Bargaining

Job Title Canadian Research Chair - Assistant Professor Artificial Intelligence, Well-being and Ethics

Department UBCO | Faculty | Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (Helen Yanacopulos)

Posting End Date May 26, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

University of British Columbia \xe2\x80\x93 Okanagan Campus
Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Assistant Professor (tenure track)
Canadian Research Chair Tier 2 \xe2\x80\x93 Artificial Intelligence, Well-being and Ethics

The Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus, located on unceded Syilx territory, invites applications for a SSHRC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Artificial Intelligence, Well-being and Ethics. This is an internal search and applicants must hold a full-time, tenure stream appointment as Assistant or Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science at UBCO. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2023.

The proposed research should be interdisciplinary and collaborative, with serious attention to social justice and ethics. The applicant\xe2\x80\x99s work will have a potential impact on both public policy and corporate strategy around the human-AI integration process. The research should be highly interdisciplinary, bringing together multiple fields, such as philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, as well as computer science. The applicant also needs to explore indigenous forms of work, expertise, ethics, and wellbeing, paying attention to other ways of knowing the world. This research will complement other areas of research in the department within Philosophy, Political Science and Economics around work, AI and ethics. The applicant will be involved in transformative teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Engagement with local communities, particularly our Indigenous community partners, as well as focus on themes of global social importance in the research are essential. The outputs of the research activities should be public facing.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate will possess:

• 
  a PhD in Philosophy or a cognate discipline
• 
  an outstanding record of research and peer-reviewed publications relative to stage of career
• 
  a record of high-quality teaching and supervision, appropriate to stage of career
• 
  an emerging record of international recognition in their field and the capacity to establish themselves as an international leader withing the next 5-10 years
• 
  a proposal for an original, innovative research program of the highest quality
• 
  experience and/or detailed plan to address equity, diversity and inclusion
• 
  capacity to attract substantial external research funding
• 
  the potential to attract diverse collaborators
• 
  a record of demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in leadership, teaching and research
• 
  demonstrate the ability to participate in leadership activities in collegial internal and external service
• 
  the search is limited to candidates internal to UBC

How to Apply
Applications will be submitted online in one continuous file and should contain the following components:

• 
  a letter or application addressed to Dr. Helen Yanacopulos, Chair of the Hiring Committee that includes interest in the position; contribution to the department and faculty; the impact on the fields of AI, well-being and ethics
• 
  a curriculum vitae providing a clear sense of scholarly and professional development via education, research activities and outcomes;
• 
  a research statement discussing the significance,originality,and potential impacts of current and developing research program (up to 3 pages);
• 
  recent examples of research activities and outcomes, including, but not limited to, peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, public talks, articles reaching specialist and non specialist audiences, and effective use of social media for research impact and netwerking (up to 5 examples)
• 
  a teaching statement (up to 3 pages) and a dossier of syllabi and other evidence, if available
• 
  an EDI statement (up to 2 pages) that includes plans of attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees, and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment
• 
  the names and email contact information of three academic referees

Contacts
Inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to the Chair Hiring Committee, Professor Helen Yanacopulos
helen.yanacopulos@ubc.ca

Review of applications will begin on May 29, 2023.

In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate\xe2\x80\x99s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students, and is essential to fostering an outstanding work environment. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision- making modes. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants who are short-listed.
To learn more about UBC\xe2\x80\x99s Center for Workplace Accessibility, visit the website here
https://hr.ubc.ca/CWA.

CRC Tier 2 nominees are expected to be (a) excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity (b) have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years, and (c) have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers. Normally, applicants for Tier 2 Chairs should be no more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree at the time of Chair nomination.

Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program\xe2\x80\x99s Tier 2 justification process. Nominations are subject to review by the CRC Secretariat, and appointment as a CRC is conditional upon their approval. Consult the Canada Research Chairs website
www.chairs.gc.ca for full program information, including further details on eligibility.

UBC is committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse environment so that historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized are treated equitably, feel respected, and belong. Please read the Inclusion Action Plan to learn steps UBC is taking to create a more inclusive campus
https://equity.ubc.ca/about/inclusion-actionplan/. We welcome applications from scholars who have an interest in promoting equity and inclusion among diverse scientists at any level.

In accordance with UBC\xe2\x80\x99s CRC Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan:
https://academic.ubc.ca/sites/vpa.ubc.ca/files/documents/EDIAP%20-%2013%20DEC%202018%20EE.pdf , and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be restricted to members of the following designated groups: people with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized people, women, and people from minoritized gender identity groups.

Applicants to CRC positions are asked to complete this equity survey https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9 as part of the application, and candidates from these groups must self-identify as belonging to one or more of the designated equity groups to be considered for the position. Because the search is limited to those self-identifying as members of designated equity groups, candidates must also provide their name to be considered.

Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a), 26(c) and 26(e) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information you provide will only be used to determine whether you qualify for participation in this restricted process, and to advance accessibility, equity, and fair adjudication in this process. Data will be collected by the Equity & Inclusion Office and shared confidentially with the search committee. All responses will be stored in a secure database.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus acknowledges that the land on which we work takes place on the unceded, ancestral, and currently occupied territory of the
Syilx Okanagan Peoples . As faculty, staff and students, we recognize that we have continuous work to do in learning, unlearning, reflecting, and taking action towards decolonization, reconciliation, and the centring and celebrating of Indigenous Knowledges, Peoples, and Leadership.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on the grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, M\xc3\xa9tis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.