Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Research Associate* in Sustainability of AI 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented researcher to join the Cambridge Sustainable Computing Lab, one of the leading academic teams in the field of sustainable computing. The post will suit researchers interested in tackling one of the most pressing issues in tech today: improving our understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence and data centres. 

Your primary role will be to lead projects improving how computing environmental impacts are currently estimated and reported, and investigate the impacts of high-impact computational tools in AI. The appointed researcher will have research interests aligned with those of our group and the freedom to develop their own ideas for new research. Initial possibilities for research projects could include: 

• Studying the environmental impacts of AI tools expected to become (or continue to be) prominent in research in the coming years.
• Taking a global view on the impacts of data centres and AI, encompassing environmental sustainability, human health, and perspectives from the Global South.
• Exploring ways to better integrate life-cycle analyses in impact estimates and expanding environmental impacts beyond carbon footprint, with a focus on water usage in particular. 

You will be part of the Cambridge Sustainable Computing Lab (https://lannelongue-group.org) led by Dr Loïc Lannelongue, a research group focused on quantifying and reducing the environmental impacts of computing activities. The Lab is behind a number of world-leading projects in the field of green computing such as the Green Algorithms Initiative. 

We are a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative team, and you will have the opportunity to work in close conjunction with the senior scientists in the Green Algorithms Initiative, and scientific collaborators based across Cambridge and in other institutions internationally. Opportunities to develop supervision and teaching skills will be provided. 

As a group, we value and encourage applications from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to contribute to the highly interdisciplinary research programme. We strongly value and encourage Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as well as a flexible working environment. 

The preferred candidates will have a strong interest in the intersection between computing, science, and environmental sustainability. They should have an ability to communicate and present results to other scientists along with excellent verbal and written communications skills. They should have substantial research experience – for example with a PhD in computer science, artificial intelligence, sustainability, or other related subject – but other similar research experience is welcome. 

Although no previous experience in sustainable AI research is required, some knowledge of AI and environmental sustainability concepts is expected. More importantly, the preferred candidates will have a strong interest in studying the multifaceted environmental impacts of AI, be aware of the limitations of purely techno-solutionist approaches, and will highlight possible research questions in their cover letter. 

*Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD (or equivalent experience), including those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD. Where a PhD has yet to be, awarded appointment initially at research assistant and amended to research associate when PhD is awarded.

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