The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) at Duke University is seeking an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the area of robotics for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Adjunct Assistant Professor will teach one course per semester on undergraduate/graduate-level Ethics in Robotics and Automation. The position will also participate in workshops run by Duke’s Center for Learning Innovation each semester. While the teaching mission is the focus of this position, the position may also pursue collaborative research and/or grant development. This position is available for one or two semesters, with compensation commensurate with experience. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, law, or medicine as it relates to ethics/robotics/automation; and is enthusiastic about teaching and learning. This position is an excellent opportunity for those interested in academia, offering the opportunity to obtain rigorous teaching experience prior to embarking on their eventual career path. Screening of candidates will begin immediately until the position is filled.

Work Performed

The candidate is expected to teach a one-semester course (Spring 2023) in Case Studies in Ethics in Robotics and Automation, a highly interdisciplinary course that covers case studies in trust and trustworthiness, bias, fairness and equity, surveillance and privacy, and safety and regulation as it relates to the ethics in robotics and automation.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

Ph.D. or terminal degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, ethics, law, or medicine with specialization in research and/or job experience in ethics in robotics and/or automation.

Experience

Candidate should have a strong background in automation, robotics, and/or ethics to facilitate discussions and deliver topic-area lectures.

Skills

The main topics of the course to be taught that the candidate should be knowledgeable in include trust and trustworthiness, bias, fairness and equity (including ML impacts), surveillance and privacy, and safety and regulation as it relates to robotics and automation.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Essential Physical Job Functions Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

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