[Air-L] Position open for an auditing AI project funded by Notre Dame-IBM Tech Ethics Lab

[Debarun Sarkar]

Looking for an independent computer engineer/researcher to join a team of interdisciplinary researchers working on an auditing AI project funded by Notre Dame-IBM Tech Ethics Lab

Rank and title: Full stack developer/tech lead/computer scientist/engineer/researcher
Discipline: Full stack developer, computer science
Mode of work: Part-time/remote/flexible
Period: 1st June 2023 – 31st Dec 2023 (7 months)
Joining: 1st June 2023
Salary: USD 1,571.4 per month (~INR 1,25,000 per month) (invoiced monthly or quarterly as per preference). There is also a contingency fund for attending international conferences. The work contract will be signed with the University of Notre Dame.
We are looking for a full-stack developer to join our team of two independent researchers for a seven-month assignment for the Audit4SG project. The project is funded through a grant by the Notre Dame-IBM Tech Ethics Lab at the University of Notre Dame.
Grant and project description link.<https://techethicslab.nd.edu/call-for-proposals/>
Job Description
The full-stack developer will work in a team with two domain experts and a designer to develop a proof-of-concept web tool which will build off a knowledge graph/ontology that the domain experts will develop. The responsibility of the developer will be to overlook the transition of the ontology into a proof-of-concept web tool that can query the ontology. They will also coordinate with the designer concerning technical matters of design assets.
About the Project
The project, Audit4SG: Toward an Ontology of AI Auditing for a Web Tool to Generate Customizable AI Auditing Methodologies for AI4SG, is being led by two principal investigators, Cheshta Arora, PhD (ORCID<https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2470-7783>), and Debarun Sarkar (ORCID<https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6873-4727>). Both are independent social science researchers based out of Bengaluru, India.
The project aims to develop an ontology of auditing AI, which will be used to build an auditing web tool. The target users of the tool are external AI auditors of AI4SG (AI for Social Good), who will be able to generate customizable AI auditing methodologies. Along with the custom AI auditing methodology generated by the user, the tool will provide the user with a report card noting the pros and cons of the chosen AI auditing methodology. The web tool will be a proof of concept whose underlying ontology will contribute to the field of relational ethics in AI auditing that can account for diverse interests, multi-directional processes, multi-scalar networks of actors, institutions, data, algorithms, infrastructure, values, and knowledges. For heuristic purposes and based on the team’s domain expertise, the project will limit itself to three domains of AI4SG: economic empowerment, education, and equality and inclusion.
Experience
Application is open to both formally trained or self-trained individuals who can demonstrate the required skills and self-driven initiatives.
Skills

  *   Familiarity with front and back-end web development: HTML/CSS/Python/JavaScript/SQL etc.
  *   Knowledge of or familiarity with OWL2/RDF and/or SPARQL is an advantage.
  *   Communication skill is essential to be able to converse across disciplines. (Note: We are not asking for English language skills but for someone interested in communicating/exchanging difficult concepts across disciplines). The team can speak and understand Bengali, English, Hindi and Punjabi.
  *   Academic writing skills are preferred but not necessary. We hope to co-author HCI papers with the engineer.
  *   Interest in the fields of human-computer interaction (HCI) or AI ethics is an advantage.
Expectations
As independent researchers, we work on our rhythm and routine. We do not believe in micromanaging as a team and believe in demonstrating work through output rather than the hours put in. As a developer, you would be catching up with the team on a weekly or fortnightly meeting depending on the intensity and the nature of the work. The developer should be self-driven, able to manage their work themselves, and meet deadlines as needed.
Contact for Application
Please send in your CV with a cover letter mentioning any relevant portfolio details or links to previous work, including any academic texts (if any). In the cover letter please mention why you would like to join the project.
Address the email to both, Cheshta Arora, cheshtaarora[at]outlook[dot]in (ORCID<https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2470-7783>) and Debarun Sarkar debarun[at]outlook[dot]com (ORCID<https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6873-4727>). Use the subject line: ‘Application for Audit4SG’.
We will review the applications on a rolling basis till 15th April until we find someone suitable. Please apply at the earliest for a faster response.