Research Scientist Job Position

Queer in AI team is looking for a research lead (similar to a postdoc position). The Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Scientist will lead research at Queer in AI, accelerating research at the intersection of queerness, AI, and related sociotechnical issues. Their work will include developing and leading research projects, writing grants, contributing to policy work, and overseeing ongoing participatory research projects within Queer in AI.

This role will help build strong, independent, and queer-led oversight over the AI technologies used by and affecting our communities. Depending on their interests and expertise, the candidate can also develop and support core Queer in AI activities, including mentorship, community-building activities, workshops, and external partnerships. This position reports to the Queer in AI core organizers and any faculty supervisors determined during the matching process. 

This is a full-time position. Approximately 70-80% of the workload will focus on leading research projects and 20-30% will focus on overseeing, mentoring, and supporting other projects being carried out by the Queer In AI community.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD in computer science, information science, queer studies, or related fields strongly preferred (but candidates with similar research experience can also apply).

  • Strong record of leading independent research or complex projects. This would entail first author papers at interdisciplinary venues (like FAccT or AIES and many more) and discipline specific venues or journals (like CHI or *CL and many more).

  • Strong understanding of sociotechnical research on queerness, AI, data ethics, privacy, fairness, and other relevant fields that study harms of AI. 

  • Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following methods: interviews, surveys, co-design workshops, system building, or algorithm audits.

  • Demonstrated ability to build, coordinate, and lead teams in nonprofit, academic, community, or other collaborative settings.

  • Ability to mentor junior researchers, including undergraduates, graduate students, early career researchers, and community researchers.

  • Deep connections to queer and other marginalized or minoritized communities, and a passion for research or programs to support those communities.

  • Familiarity with the research of, and community organizing practices at, Queer In AI.

  • Strong written and oral communication skills.

    Other important characteristics include: an unwavering belief in equity and diversity, strong work ethic, personal integrity, emotional intelligence, excellent communication and organizational skills, strategic thinking, planning skills, reliability, and a commitment to the mission and values of Queer in AI. 

Employment Eligibility

This position is open only to individuals who are authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

Consulting/Firm Option: We are also open to engaging qualified consulting firms or independent service providers located outside the United States under a business-to-business (B2B) services agreement to provide similar services as described above. If applying as a company, please indicate your firm name and engagement model in your application. Individual contractor eligibility may vary based on local laws and company policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Design, lead, and run a research program on queer people and AI

  • Oversee ongoing participatory research projects within Queer in AI

  • Engage Queer in AI community members in research design, feedback, dissemination, and program development

  • Attend and organize meetings for community members and provide weekly updates

  • Be responsive via Slack and email

    • Post updates to the Queer in AI Slack space, asking for feedback, hosting update and feedback meetings

  • Mentor and assist Queer in AI members on their research programs

  • Support community-building activities such as planning of conference workshop or social

  • Write grant proposals and help identify funding opportunities for Queer in AI research and programs

  • Communicate research and organizational work to external stakeholders

    • Drafting policies and responding to requests for information (RFIs)

Work Environment

We work mostly online in Slack, virtual meetings, and Google Drive. We host many annual workshops and socials you are welcome to attend. We will work to find relevant faculty within Queer in AI to mentor you, and we will attempt to establish a visiting researcher relationship between you and a university for the duration of your postdoc. Candidates are asked to suggest a few faculty members who they are interested in collaborating with.

Salary and benefits

This position will be compensated $60,000 USD annually. Benefits include health insurance, vision, dental, and 4% 401(k) matching. Employment will be formally managed by oSTEM, specifically the oSTEM CEO, and by extension the oSTEM Executive Board, which includes one of our Queer in AI core organizers. 

Directions for Application

Submit the application form here (link coming soon). Your application should contain the following documents: 

  1. CV

  2. Cover Letter (1 Page)

  3. Research Statement (2-4 Pages, not including references)

  4. Statement of Community Building (1 page) 

  5. Three representative publications relating to the research you plan to do with Queer In AI. 

  6. A list of three references. References will be contacted for letters should you advance in the hiring process.

  7. Faculty you want to collaborate with. These may be faculty you already collaborate with, or faculty you want to work with. We will use this list as reference while working to find appropriate faculty mentors for you.

  8. (Optional) Certificates for Academic degrees.

Cover Letter (1-2 pages, max 750 words) 

Your cover letter should describe why you are interested in the position, how your research aligns with the organization, and what you hope to accomplish during the postdoc. 

Research statement (2-4 pages, max 1500 words)

Your research statement should describe what research projects you will undertake during your time with Queer in AI, how these projects support Queer in AI’s mission, and how your prior work demonstrates your ability to complete them. The statement should include your current research contributions, proposed postdoctoral research agenda, methods, and expected impact.

We are especially interested in how queer people can be empowered to shape AI and its impacts on them. Your statement may describe how your research engages with questions related to gender, sexuality, intersectionality, fairness, human-computer interaction, sociotechnical AI, critical data studies, digital humanities, or related areas. If your previous work is outside these domains, explain how your expertise would contribute to this research program. 

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

  • How we can build queer people’s power over AI, data, and algorithms

  • How Queer in AI can engage with and support queer people not in tech

  • Tools queer people can use to understand and mitigate AI harms

  • Documenting biases, particularly against queer people, in datasets and models

  • Best practices for datasets and models that include, represent, or interact with queer people

  • Critical research regarding AI narratives through a queer, intersectional, or justice-oriented lens

Recent papers on these topics that Queer in AI has published are: 

Statement of Community Building (1 page, max 500 words)

This statement should describe how applicants plan to engage with Queer in AI’s activities, volunteers, and programs, and past experience building community and power in related settings. Applicants may discuss their experience contributing to inclusive research communities, mentoring diverse researchers, supporting community-engaged scholarship, engaging in grassroots community organizing spaces (e.g., union organizing), or advancing equity in AI. We welcome discussion of professional, research, service, or lived experiences that inform their approach, but disclosure of personal identity is entirely optional.

Applicants should describe how they would contribute to Queer in AI’s community-building goals. Possible activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Mentoring new volunteers and improving participation, especially from underrepresented groups within Queer in AI. 

  • Community building via mentorship, workshops, and peer support. 

  • Networking with external queer groups (like oSTEM) and affinity groups (like WiML)

  • Writing grant proposals to support Queer in AI programs

  • Developing best practices on inclusive practices and community spaces

Once you have submitted the application, please join the Queer in AI slack (instructions here under “Join our community”), if you haven’t already.