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.
The Role
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.
The Team
You will be part of the Cambridge Sustainable Computing Lab (https://lannelongue-group.org) led by Dr Loic 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.
Your Skills
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.
Please refer to the Further Particulars document for the full list of criteria. Applicants are not expected to satisfy all
Desirable criteria, training will be available to the successful applicant.
Fixed-term: The funding for this post is available for 2 years in the first instance.
This is a full-time position, applications welcome for no less than 70% FTE per week.
Location - Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Campus, Papworth Road, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 0BD
Informal enquiries to Dr Loic Lannelongue (ll582@medschl.cam.ac.uk).
Closing date: 8th January 2025
Interview Date: January 2026 (tbc)
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.
Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.
Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.
Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.
Please quote reference
RH48121 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
