Call for Research Assistants
Updated: Monday, January 13, 2025
Mission: The AI Ethics Lab is an international research initiative dedicated to examining the ethical and legal implications of artificial intelligence and analyzing its impact throughout the AI lifecycle—from design and development to deployment, use, and monitoring. Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Nathan C. Walker, a First Amendment and human rights educator at Rutgers University-Camden, the lab embraces a solutions scholarship methodology. Researchers in the lab identify moral challenges and actively develop practical policy strategies to foster responsible technologies that benefit humanity and the environment.
Academic Affiliations: The AI Ethics Lab is housed within the Digital Studies Center (DiSC), a research hub that explores the intersection of digital technologies and the diverse disciplines of the Rutgers-Camden College of Arts and Sciences. The lab is also affiliated with the Department of Philosophy & Religion at Rutgers-Camden, a program that supports courses and research exploring the ways human beings understand and give expression to the nature and meaning of reality, knowledge, life, self, societies, ethics, and values.
Partners: The AI Ethics Lab conducts research on various topics, including supporting the development of the Munich Convention on AI and Human Rights. Through ethics and legal research, the lab examines how human rights instruments can be applied to regulate the entire AI lifecycle. Its work is grounded in core ethical principles such as human dignity, privacy, transparency, fairness, safety, and accountability. The AI Ethics Lab collaborates with international leaders, including the Technical University of Munich in Germany and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
Research Deliverables: Research assistants will collaborate with specialists to design and publish a knowledge base and map the relationship between AI ethics and human rights instruments.
- AI Knowledge Base: Assist in crafting a glossary of terms that simplifies technical and legal jargon for a general audience. This living document will evolve alongside advancements in AI technologies and regulations, ensuring that key terms remain accessible and relevant.
- Mapping AI Ethics: Explore philosophical and applied ethical principles related to AI, including human dignity, privacy, transparency, fairness, safety, and accountability. Research assistants will contribute by building a comprehensive annotated bibliography and conducting an in-depth literature review.
- Mapping AI and Human Rights: Investigate the intersection of AI and global human rights instruments, focusing on its impact on multinational corporations and broader societal sectors.
Ideal Candidates: The AI Ethics Lab engages undergraduate students at any stage of their academic careers who are enrolled full-time in a Rutgers-Camden degree program. While no prior experience in digital studies, computer science, philosophy, or law is required, students majoring or minoring in these disciplines are encouraged to apply. Maintaining strong academic standing is a top priority; therefore, applicants must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Due to the demanding nature of this research position, students enrolled in more than five courses (15 credits) are discouraged from applying. Ideal candidates will be available to work at least two semesters before graduating.
Application Process: During the application and interview stages, candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of exceptional academic work that highlights self-motivation and strong task-completion skills. The research team fosters a relational culture that emphasizes collegiality, effective communication, mental flexibility, and attention to detail. Applicants should be self-disciplined team players who thrive in creative and collaborative environments.
Commitments: Research assistants are expected to dedicate a minimum of six hours per week, working onsite at the Digital Studies Center at Rutgers-Camden on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Additional onsite hours are optional. Appointments are semester-based (Fall, Spring, and possibly Summer) and may be renewed based on excellent performance.
Benefits: AI Ethics Lab research assistant positions offer students professional, paid experience starting at $16.00 per hour. Participants will gain hands-on exposure to social science and legal research methods, a deeper understanding of AI ethics and law, and the opportunity to earn publication credits for meaningful contributions to the lab’s research projects.
Application Process: To apply, please send a preliminary inquiry to program coordinator Doreen Wheeler at wheelerd@camden.rutgers.edu, detailing your interest in the project. If Doreen confirms your compatibility, she will invite you to submit a formal cover letter, resume, and complete this application form. The search committee will then review applications and invite final candidates to participate in an in-person interview based on the following schedule:
Fall 2025 positions
- Inquiries to Doreen Wheeler must be submitted by March 23, 2025.
- Completed application forms will be accepted until April 7, 2025.
- In-person interviews will take place on Fridays during the weeks of April 11 through May 2, 2025.
- The final candidate will be invited to join the lab with a tentative start date of September 12, 2025.
Spring 2026 positions
- Inquiries to Doreen Wheeler must be received by October 13, 2025.
- Completed application forms will be accepted until October 27, 2025.
- In-person interviews will be conducted on Fridays during from October 31 through November 21, 2025.
- The final candidate will be invited to join the lab with a tentative start date of January 23, 2026.
If you have any questions during this process, please contact program coordinator, Doreen Wheeler.
