Researcher – Workplace Impacts of AI

Who we are

Our mission is to shape a fairer future through better work. Our goal is a good society in which everyone can flourish through this new technological revolution. Our belief is that creating and sustaining good work is the best way to achieve this goal and ensure that innovation and social good advance together. 

Through delivering and convening research which informs the development of practical, policy, and regulatory solutions, we seek to address three core challenges: 

• Changing Work: The risks and rewards of transition are not evenly spread meaning that structural inequalities are increasing. 
• Shifting Power: New technologies are driving big shifts in power and challenging traditional mechanisms of governance and accountability at work. 
• Prioritising People: People’s lived experience, values and agency are being neglected in shaping futures of work. 

We believe good work can be an outcome of technological change, if, and when: government prioritises and creates; regulators steer and intervene; industry develops and models; civil society is engaged and informs; academia carries out research; and industry prioritises and requires. 

Role Overview
This role will co-create, develop and evaluate different governance tools, frameworks, methods and metrics for promoting Good Work through technological disruption and the innovation lifecycle. This will include approaches which involve, anticipate, mitigate and evaluate systems ‘in the wild’.

Working with the wider team the Researcher will deliver action-research projects which evaluate the impacts of algorithmic systems, supporting industry Learning Partners using a range of methodologies.

The successful candidate will have enthusiasm to work at the intersection of social, legal, technical and economic questions. Strong oral and written communication skills, and an ability to maintain respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with industry partners is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance the mission, goals, and ethos of our organisation
• Understand the importance of Good Work as an ethical and legal framework guiding the implementation of responsible AI
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with industry partners through action research projects
• Support, collaboratively conduct and lead high quality research, including survey research and analysis and action research projects
• Undertake and participate in additional research projects on workplace impacts of AI and AI governance
• Write blogs, research papers and reports and deliver presentations with an understanding of different audience needs
• Develop, lead and deliver training to professionals working in AI governance where appropriate
• Support the wider team in identifying potential funding opportunities and developing funding proposals and meeting funders
• Respond to relevant items of public policy, and engagement of our network at events
• Supporting and/or coordinate meetings, workshops, roundtables and parliamentary activities relating to workplace governance of AI
• Support the establishment and development of the Sandbox architecture through the drafting and revision of key governance documents and agreements
• Tracking and reporting to the relevant team/people on individual work that contributes to the impact of IFOW’s work

Knowledge, Skills and Experience     

• Knowledge of policy and practices relating to governance of algorithmic systems
• Applied or academic experience researching the social, economic, legal and ethical impacts of algorithmic systems
• An interest in the relationship between governance, political economy and job quality
• An understanding, through academic or professional training, of the basic workings of algorithmic technologies
• Good face-to-face communication and the ability to be at ease with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• A strategic mindset and the ability to offer and receive constructively critical feedback
• The ability to work both collaboratively and independently, comfortable with making decisions at pace and sometimes in a changing and uncertain environment
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to stay on top of many large and small tasks simultaneously, as well as a commitment to quality and attention to detail
• A strong commitment to the goals and ethos of IFOW

Location: London, hybrid. One day per week the team co-work at Somerset House.

Salary: £40,000-£45,000 per annum

Closing date: Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 23:59

Start Date: March 2025 (exact date TBC)

Contract: 1 year with a view to renew

Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week. IFOW offers flexible ways of working, and up to two months fully remote working each year, one of which must be in August.

Leave: 28 days + 3 days shutdown over the Christmas period