Responsible AI Specialist

The Concordia Applied AI Institute (AI2) is a multi-disciplinary applied research unit representing more than 120 faculty members and their graduate students from the 4 Concordia University faculties. AI2 is a values-driven institute, committed to engaged leadership, caring for AI’s community and consequences, and responsive to public interest. We support AI that improves, rather than maintains, the status quo. Through workshops, panel discussions, publications, and other avenues, we facilitate meaningful engagement with issues related to AI governance and adoption.

Job description

As part of the Applied AI Institute, you will contribute to advancing critical analysis on the impact of AI locally and globally. As Responsible AI Specialist, you will be an integral part of key research activities while engaging in knowledge mobilization and public literacy and coordinating an engaged research network here in Montreal. 

You will coordinate small and medium-term research projects and supervise research assistants as needed in carrying out work duties. You will work with the team to find and apply for new funding opportunities and engage in reporting. You will foster relationships with local community and social justice groups interested in AI impact, monitor and prepare reports on Responsible AI trends, and outline the trends to Institute members and key partners. You will also work on other tasks related to the position as outlined by the immediate supervisor.

Application deadline: January 29, 2025 
Start date: March 5, 2025  
End date: March 5, 2026 
Salary:  $70,000 - $80,000 per annum 
Hours per week: 35 (hybrid work schedule – 3 days on site) 
Immedidate Supervisor: Manager, Operations, Strategic Initiatives, and Partnerships

Work environment

The Applied AI Institute is an interdisciplinary team composed of engineers and social scientists, both full-time professionals and research assistants from the Concordia community. We collaborate with faculty members from Concordia University that provide guidance and expertise for our projects. We believe in collaborative approaches to shared work and engage with a range of community partners, locally, across Canada and internationally who are similarly invested in considering AI critically and proactively from the perspective of community agency, autonomy and in consideration of social movement demands. 

You will work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners on a range of educational, research and policy initiatives to meet deliverables and institute objectives in response to emerging opportunities. Your work will be reviewed by your manager as well as fellow team members. We enjoy working with diverse teams. We appreciate the varied outlooks and perspectives of our team members and how they shape our projects

Qualities we admire

• Being comfortable with self-directed learning
• Responding well to feedback
• Solving problems effectively
• Embracing a growth mind-set 
• Prioritizing team success over individual success
• Staying organized

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an area relevant to primary responsibilities, such as areas that have seen you engage with policy and social justice work and applied qualitative and quantitative research practices. A Graduate degree is considered an asset. 
• Experience working in a university research context involving project coordination and knowledge mobilization. Experience in written and other forms of knowledge mobilization considered an asset.
• Knowledge of qualitative research methods and experience with community-based, participatory, and / or action research.
• Knowledge of the Montreal and national AI ecosystems 
• Very good knowledge of spoken and written English to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and the external community and to write and edit correspondence and reports providing detailed recommendations. Additionally, good knowledge of spoken and written French to communicate effectively is considered an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, along with proven leadership abilities; ability to deal with stressful situations.
• Comfort working autonomously to plan processes and coordinate projects within established deadlines and parameters.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Note to applicants: 

If you’re excited about the role and are committed to learning with and from your team members, aren’t afraid of constructive criticism, please apply! We’re more interested in finding someone who’s a great fit for our team than just checking off a list of qualifications.

Territorial Acknowledgment

Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

Employment equity

Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. 

Accessibility

Concordia desires to increase diversity among its community members and we strive to make our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants. If you are contacted for an interview and anticipate needing accommodations during the process, please contact, in confidence, applied.ai@concordia.ca

Immigration status

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.

This position is subject to all conditions outlined in the CARE collective agreement.

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter to applied.ai@concordia.ca

Accommodations are available to support your success at the interview stage. Please let us know how we can mitigate barriers that would prevent you from fully participating by contacting applied.ai@concordia.ca

Your request will be held in confidence.