Purpose of the role

• Are you interested in making Artificial Intelligence (AI) a force for good in the world, working with technical experts to implement practical ideas and solve concrete problems?
• Do you love working closely with clients, partners and collaborators to build a shared understanding of complex concepts, communicating them incisively in your writing and speech?
• Do you want to be part of a small and highly collaborative team that depends on diverse viewpoints, loves exploring new ideas, thinks things through carefully, and always places ethics at the core of their work?

The primary purpose of the Senior Consultant - Responsible AI position is to help Gradient Institute clients and partners improve their responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision systems. With the support of the rest of the Gradient team, the senior consultant will achieve this purpose by

• managing and undertaking advisory engagements
• conducting responsible AI assessments
• writing consultancy reports.

The position requires

• the ability to work productively with customers, partners and the Gradient team
• a technical background (computer science, software engineering, maths, physics, or similar)
• general familiarity with machine learning algorithms and technology
• knowledge of organisational practices and governance in large companies
• a high level of report writing skill.

At Gradient Institute we believe that diverse people, perspectives and experiences are vital to achieving our mission. We work hard to ensure our team members have a positive and fulfilling work life that enables them to flourish and be themselves. We strongly encourage women and individuals belonging to minority and disadvantaged groups to apply.

We will consider candidates looking for a full-time position or those only available to work four days per week.

Gradient Institute currently has offices in Canberra and Sydney. We will consider candidates in these locations but will also consider strong candidates from other locations in Australia. Work from home arrangements for some or all of the week can be accommodated with regular visits to the relevant office.

About the company

Gradient Institute is an independent, nonprofit research institute that works to build ethics, accountability and transparency into AI systems: developing new algorithms, training organisations operating AI systems and providing technical guidance for AI policy development. The staff are primarily computer science researchers and engineers working on new artificial intelligence research and technologies that have ethical awareness built-in. We work with some of Australia's largest corporations, some of the top universities and government agencies at state and federal level to help achieve our vision: a world where all systems operate ethically.

Duties and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Consultant - Responsible AI are to:

1. work with Gradient Institute customers and partners to understand their current and planned uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and their business and ethical objectives for these systems, and participate in writing proposals for Gradient Institute projects to assist these customers and partners
2. provide the main technical and business customer interface for projects such as advisory services, responsible AI assessments and other consulting services
3. lead the writing of reports required in delivery of the above projects, collaborating closely with technical experts
4. lead workshops and interviews with customers and partners to elicit requirements and gain understanding of the customer or partner’s business, regulatory and technical context
5. manage small to medium sized projects including reporting regularly on project progress to customers and partners and Gradient Institute Executive members
6. participate in the development and delivery of responsible AI training programs (such as AI governance, leadership and introductory technical training)
7. write articles and present talks on Gradient Institute work and related topics
8. other related tasks in support of Gradient Institute’s mission of improving the responsible use of AI as required from time-to-time

Required skills, experience and certifications

• University degree in a technical domain (e.g. computer science, software engineering, maths, physics or similar) or equivalent industry experience
• General familiarity with key concepts of machine learning
• At least 2 years experience working in business consulting and/or policy development
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust and rapport with customers and partners
• Excellent ability to write clear and concise consulting reports on technical topics
• Ability to elicit and understand a client’s business and technology context and requirements
• Attention to detail and quality of work and the ability to self-manage to deliver against project requirements
• Australian permanent residency or appropriate working visa for Australia