The Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics (FATE) research group at Microsoft Research New York City (MSR NYC) is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to start July 2022. This two-year position is an ideal opportunity for an emerging scholar whose work focuses on the societal implications of AI and machine learning.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will have the opportunity to pursue their own research agenda while interacting with prominent researchers and practitioners. The FATE research group at MSR NYC currently includes Solon Barocas, Alexandra Chouldechova, Kate Crawford, Hal Daumé, Miro Dudík, Hanna Wallach, and Jennifer Wortman Vaughan, and has close collaborations with researchers at MSR FATE Montréal (Nicolas Le Roux, Q. Vera Liao, Alexandra Olteanu, and Koustuv Saha) as well as other parts of Microsoft. The Postdoc will also receive a competitive salary and benefits package and are eligible for relocation expenses.

Microsoft Research offers an exhilarating and supportive environment for cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research, both theoretical and applied, with access to an extraordinary diversity of data sources, an open publications policy, and close links to top academic institutions around the world.

We seek applicants with a demonstrated interest in FATE-related topics and a desire to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment that includes researchers from computer science, statistics, social sciences, humanities, and other fields. Applicants should have a well-established research track record, evidenced by notable journal or conference publications and broader contributions to the research community.

We welcome candidates with a background in a technical field (such as machine learning, AI, statistics, NLP, computer vision, and related fields) as well as candidates with a socio-technical orientation (such as those in HCI, information science, sociology, anthropology, science and technology studies, media studies, law, history of science, and related fields).

Applicants must have completed their PhD, including submission of their dissertation, prior to joining MSR NYC (i.e., dissertation submitted, and degree preferably conferred by July 2022). We encourage candidates with tenure-track job offers from other institutions to apply, provided they are able to defer their start date by at least one year to accept our position.

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse, and pluralistic research environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, as well as students with non-traditional backgrounds. We work collectively to make Microsoft Research a welcoming and conducive space for all researchers.

To be assured of full consideration, all application materials, including reference letters, need to be received by December 15, 2021. Applications received after that date may or may not be considered.

To ensure that we receive a complete application from you, please be sure to follow these instructions:

• Upload your CV.
• When prompted in your application, please provide the names and contact information of at least 3 referees (in nearly all cases one will be from your dissertation advisor).
• Upload (as separate attachments to your application) 2 conference or journal articles, book chapters, or equivalent writing samples (e.g., chapters from your dissertation) that you are most proud of and which best demonstrate your expertise.

Upload (as an attachment to your application) one academic statement (approximately 3 or 4 pages) that outlines both your research achievements and agenda, and your service and outreach activities and plans, including those related to mentoring and diversity.

Responsibilities

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will define your own research agenda, driving forward an effective program of basic, fundamental, and applied research. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with members of the FATE research group and others at MSR NYC, as well as the chance to realize your ideas in Microsoft products and services and contribute to Microsoft’s broader efforts on responsible AI.

Qualifications

This role is not to exceed two years.

Required:

• PhD in a relevant field (completed or close to completion by the start date).
• Research ability demonstrated by the two journal/conference publications, book chapters, or equivalent writing samples requested as part of your application.

Preferred:

• The ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
• Strong communication skills.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.