Kendall Fellowship: Machine Learning, Satellite Remote Sensing, and Security

DESCRIPTION Kendall Fellowship: Machine Learning, Satellite Remote Sensing, and Security  Global Security Program  Union of Concerned Scientists  Remote position  Bargaining Unit Position: No  Our organization   The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.   For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:   * Science in the service of people and the planet.  * Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.  * Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.  * Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.  * Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions.  * Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.  The Global Security Program in the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) seeks outstanding candidates for a Kendall Fellowship to develop and lead a body of work to refine our understanding of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in combination with the increasing quality and diversity of satellites could change the security landscape. This two-year fellowship is open to candidates who will have completed their Ph.D. or another advanced degree in a relevant field before September 2024, or those with equivalent experience.  At the Union of Concerned Scientists, we advance equitable science-based solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, conduct rigorous technical analyses, and mobilize our supporters to build powerful coalitions, educate decision-makers, and advocate for change. The Global Security Program (GSP) will host this Kendall Fellow. GSP works to reduce the risk of nuclear war and move toward a world free from nuclear weapons, to repair the injustice and harm done by nuclear weapons, and to increase and diversify the seats at the table of nuclear weapons decision-making.  REQUIREMENTS As a Kendall Fellow, you will work with UCS staff to develop a proposal for a two-year position that explores multifaceted questions at the intersection of AI/ML, remote sensing data, and security. These include the potential risks, including perpetuating cultural biases in intelligence assessments. And potential solutions, such as innovative monitoring for arms control, and transparency and confidence-building measures.   While the specifics of the project will be developed in collaboration with the chosen candidate, we envision that the fellow will carry out research on the impact the fusion of AI with various satellite sensors/technologies (e.g., Radar Detection and Ranging (RADAR), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Hyperspectral, and Infrared) would have on nuclear stability, both positive and negative; how AI might impact arms control agreement verification when it is coupled with emerging sensor technologies, such as near-persistent earth observation via SAR satellite constellations; and how possible bias in AI training datasets might influence the interpretation of data collected on strategic systems and affect strategic stability.  Work could include literature reviews and other exploration of existing work in the space, building relationships with other researchers in the field, developing educational materials/ programs for UCS constituents, supporting advocates in implementing scientific knowledge in their advocacy, organizing or participating in events and briefings on the project topics, working with advocates to develop policy and research recommendations, and carrying out new research and/or pilot projects related to these topics. The Kendall Fellow will also connect and coordinate with other Fellows working on AI risk and governance at UCS.  An important aspect of this role will be identifying ways to ensure the work is sustainable and able to be continued after the end of your Fellowship.  BENEFITS The ideal Kendall Fellow candidate would have a Ph.D. and expertise either in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning or remote sensing techniques. Experience with nuclear weapons policy is desirable. Candidates should have strong research skills, including accessing hard-to-find data, being able to identify key policy-relevant questions, and writing and speaking clearly for technical, policy, and non-technical audiences. Some experience with communications, messaging, and/or community organizing is preferred, but not required. An advanced degree or Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field must be completed before September 1, 2024.  An understanding of the inequities inherent in the scientific and policy fields is needed for this work. All candidates should have a demonstrated interest in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, especially as it relates to the fields of science and advocacy.  You may spend extended periods at a computer. Depending on COVID-19 circumstances, occasional travel may be required. Your safety and the safety of others is our first priority.  UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. We are actively seeking people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in this work.   About the Kendall Science Fellows Program  The Kendall Science Fellows Program was established to honor Nobel Prize-winning physicist Henry Kendall who was with UCS from our beginnings and was the long-time chair of our board. Kendall was known for his unique ability to shake up the status quo and catalyze new thinking, and UCS looks to Kendall Fellows to do the same. Priority is given to innovative and forward-looking proposals that are primarily scientific, technical, or analytic in nature but also show interest in the application of science to policy. Fellows will benefit from the opportunity to learn from the UCS approach to science and policy, and UCS will benefit from the new approaches and expertise of the Kendall Fellows.  More about the team Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment that is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.  Benefits  A note on the pandemic: For in-office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely. All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.  Compensation, Hours, and Location: This is a full-time, two-year position, with an expected start date in September 2024. Kendall Fellowship salaries follow a special structure and are between $80,530 to $101,930, with some flexibility in the salary depending on experience. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. Information about UCS is available at www.ucsusa.org  To Apply: We know some great candidates won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.  To apply, please upload a cover letter and resume. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations.  Following an initial screening, the candidate will develop a more specific fellowship proposal in cooperation with UCS staff and impacted community groups for submission to the Kendall Science Fellows Program Advisory Committee by March 29, 2024. The candidate and this proposal must be approved by the committee before the candidate can be officially hired and begin this position.  Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2024