Embedded EthiCS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Philosophy

School    Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Department/Area    Philosophy, Computer Science, Ethics

Position Description    
The Harvard Program for Embedded EthiCS invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship based in the Philosophy Department beginning July 1, 2021. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to spend 50% of their time working with the Embedded EthiCS program and 50% of their time on their own independent research.

Harvard’s Embedded EthiCS is a collaborative pedagogical program that embeds the teaching of ethics directly into the computer science curriculum by creating and teaching ethics modules for courses in the standard computer science curriculum. For details about this exciting program, please see our website. The postdoctoral fellow will have responsibility for (1) teaching in the program, (2) participating in a Teaching Lab that develops ethics modules, (3) coaching the Teaching Assistants, and potentially (4) advising an undergraduate senior thesis in this area. The fellow will have both a postdoctoral and a faculty advisor. Postdoctoral fellows in this program are encouraged to participate in the many efforts at Harvard to address the social impact of technology through its ties with Harvard’s Center for Research in Computation and Society; Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics; and Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.

We seek applicants who are enthusiastic to work with computer scientists to develop ethics modules for their courses. They need not have computer science experience themselves. They must demonstrate competence to teach ethics, but ethics need not be their area of specialization. Ideally candidates would have significant teaching experience, some mathematical training, experience with cross-disciplinary research or teaching, and enthusiasm about developing ethics pedagogy.

Applicants must have completed all the requirements for a doctorate in Philosophy or related discipline by June 30, 2021. The term of the fellowship is July 1, 2021-June 30, 2023, pending a successful review at the end of the first year.

We welcome applications from women and members of minority groups, as well as others who would bring additional dimensions to the university’s research and teaching missions. Salary is extremely competitive.

Basic Qualifications    
Applicants must have completed all the requirements for a doctorate in Philosophy or related discipline by June 30, 2021.

Additional Qualifications    

Special Instructions    

Please submit the following materials by December 31, 2020:

• Cover letter stating your background and interest in the Embedded EthiCS program
• CV
• Teaching statement and portfolio
• Research statement
• Recent writing sample (no more than 25 pages)
• Names and contact information of three referees, who will be asked by a system-generated email to upload a letter of recommendation once the candidate’s application has been submitted. Three letters of recommendation are required, and the application is considered complete only when at least three letters have been received. Please notify your referees to expect a request for their letter of recommendation.

Contact Information    
If you have questions about the Embedded EthiCS program or the application process, please contact us at embeddedethics@g.harvard.edu

Contact Email    embeddedethics@g.harvard.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer    
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Minimum Number of References Required    3   
Maximum Number of References Allowed    5