2022 DLI Fellowships
Cornell Tech’s Digital Life Initiative (DLI) invites applications for its 2022 Fellowship class. This year, we are recruiting for two Fellowship positions:
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Technology Law and Policy Fellowship
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Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Working alongside and complementing an outstanding, multidisciplinary community of DLI Postdoctoral Fellows, Doctoral Fellows, Visitors, and Faculty, new Fellows will pursue research in, and policy approaches to, a range of urgent topics including but not limited to privacy and surveillance, platform governance, transparency, content moderation, algorithmic discrimination, digital political economy, information control and freedom, fundamental rights, digital inequality, network regulation, and security.
1. About the Technology Law & Policy Fellowship
The Tech Law Fellow will augment DLI’s research and educational mission, examining digital life through the lens of ethics, politics, and quality of life. With guidance from DLI Director Helen Nissenbaum and from Professor James Grimmelmann, the Tech Law Fellow will develop and pursue legal and policy responses to key societal challenges arising from the development and deployment of digital technologies.
Although the Technology Law and Policy Fellow will seek to publish legal and policy scholarship, their primary responsibility will be to help lead and communicate the Digital Life Initiative’s legal and policy responses in these areas. They will engage deeply with the US policy-making process, such as by drafting amicus briefs, filing comments with government agencies, reviewing proposed legislation, briefing policy-makers, producing white papers on important policy topics, and communicating with the public and the media. The Tech Law Fellow will also have the opportunity to work with masters and doctoral students enrolled in Cornell Tech's programs in law, computer science, information science, operations research, business, and financial engineering.
2. About the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
The Postdoctoral Fellow Digital Life Initiative (DLI) invites applications for its 2022 postdoctoral research fellowship supporting research in ethics, politics, and quality of life in digital societies. Postdocs explore topical issues such as algorithmic decision systems, bias and unfair discrimination, privacy, AI and ethics, and civil society. We welcome applicants from wide-ranging disciplines -- computer and information sciences, law, philosophy, data science, media studies, public policy, and social sciences. Demonstrated interest in contextual integrity is a plus.
Who Should Apply?
Successful applicants will hold a terminal degree within their field, achieved within the past four years. JDs, JSDs, LLMs, PhDs, and MDs are welcome to apply. JD, LLM, or JSD degrees, or a Ph.D. in a closely related field such as Public Policy or Political Science. They will have demonstrated experience in research or policymaking in their chosen field. one or more of the activities listed above.
Fellows are expected to reside in the New York City area (this is not a remote fellowship) and participate actively in the intellectual life of Cornell Tech and the Digital Life Initiative. In addition to pursuing research, Fellows play a crucial role in enriching the DLI with workshops, conferences, and seminars; contributing to the DLI Critical Reflections publication, and presenting their work at the DLI Seminar and other public and internal forums. There may also be teaching opportunities. Particulars will be determined by mutual agreement.
Both fellowship types are structured as Postdoctoral Associate positions, meaning that applicants should have received the terminal degree in their field. Salary is commensurate with experience and a generous Cornell University benefits package will be provided.
The initial appointment is for one year, renewable depending on fit and available funding.
Application Instructions
Applications will be evaluated starting Saturday, January 15, 2022, and reviewed until the positions are filled. To apply, please submit your information via our online form, including the following materials.
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A cover letter indicating which fellowship you are applying for, and explaining your fit for the position, including your research or policymaking interests and experience.
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A current curriculum vitae.
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Two publications or substantial drafts of journal articles, essays, or the equivalent.
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Names and contact information for three recommenders.
Applicants who have not yet received their terminal degree should request a letter from their dissertation chairs confirming that the degree will be in hand before the beginning of the Fellowship term.
Applications for this position are currently closed.
About the Digital Life Initiative
Embedded within the progressive teaching mission of Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island in New York City, the Digital Life Initiative was launched in 2017 to analyze the societal tensions arising from existing and emergent digital technologies. Inspired by the core values of justice, democracy, privacy, responsibility, security, and freedom, we support collaborative research projects that explore ethics, policy, politics and quality of life within prevailing socio-technical systems.
Cornell Tech and the Digital Life Initiative offer a unique opportunity for individuals who flourish in an environment that fosters close interdisciplinary collaboration. Our robust connections between computer scientists, engineers, information scientists, legal scholars, and others, along with our close proximity to the thriving industry and academic communities of New York City allows Initiative members to create new research connections.
About Cornell Tech
At Cornell Tech, we are building a home for digital pioneers—those of the conviction that pragmatic, purpose-driven research spurs relevant and valuable progress. Cornell Tech focuses on creating pioneering leaders and technologies for the digital age, through research, technology commercialization, and graduate-level education at the professional masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels. To learn more, visit http://tech.cornell.edu/.
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
