Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Gender, Law and new and emerging technologies
he UTS Faculty of Law is an inclusive, dynamic and innovative law faculty situated in the heart of Sydney. At UTS Law we are bold, creative, and fresh, with an international outlook grounded firmly in our local communities. Focusing on a rapidly changing future for law graduates, the faculty has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its legal education and its commitment to practice-oriented learning.
About the research project
Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly become embedded in everyday decision-making-shaping access to jobs, credit, healthcare, information and even personal autonomy-yet its development and deployment are far from neutral. Gendered impacts surface through interconnected harms: allocative harm, where opportunities are withheld or burdens imposed (as in biased recruitment systems); representational harm, where stereotyping, under-representation, and denigration are reproduced (including the feminised and racialized design of voice interfaces); and knowledge inequality-based harm, where gaps in AI literacy and the "missing women" across design, deployment, and leadership entrench exclusion. These harms are intensified by intersectional factors-race, age, class, language, and migration status-creating feedback loops that amplify pre-existing inequalities. From non-consensual synthetic image abuse to its use in recruitment, from datafication of sexual and reproductive health decisions to its application in a welfare setting, AI can both mirror and magnify old misogyny.
As regulators attempt to respond to AI's rapid evolution, there is an urgent need to embed gender justice and intersectional equality into governance frameworks from the outset. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to shape that conversation. Rather than simply mitigating risks, regulation can be a proactive tool for promoting fairness and equality across intersecting identities. With AI governance still in its formative stages, we have a rare chance to shape regulatory approaches that not only prevent harm but also harness AI's potential to advance women's rights and empowerment.
About the role
The Faculty of Law is currently seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for a two-year fixed term contract to contribute to this research. You will design and lead a research project on an aspect of the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) that specifically addresses its gendered impacts. The overall work of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will support the goal of deepening knowledge in Australia and globally on the gendered impacts of artificial intelligence. You will also work with the Chair to roll out a series of activities including talks and a Research Incubator Workshop and/or Academic Symposium on gender-responsive governance of AI. The Fellow will actively participate in the research visits of other academics as invited by the Chair. You will be allocated and will manage an annual project budget for the research that you design.
About You
We are looking for a candidate with:
• Completed (or close to completion) a PhD in Law, or in related discipline but with an undergraduate degree in law
• Demonstrated scholarly interest and ability in issues of law and regulation related to AI, gender and/or women's rights
• Strong evidence of outstanding analytic ability and academic writing skills, including the capacity to produce high quality peer-reviewed academic publications, demonstrated by scholarly publications commensurate with opportunity
• A commitment to interdisciplinary research in relation to AI, gender and women's rights;
• Experience or demonstrated interest in contributing to relevant policy debates and communication with government, community and/or industry stakeholders;
• Ability and willingness to work independently to generate distinctive contributions to scholarly knowledge in relation to the Chair's program of work;
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with other researchers on joint projects and publications in the projects outlined above.
For the full list of selection criteria and role responsibilities, please see the Position Statement and Key Selection Criteria below
Remuneration
Base Salary Range: $125,240 - $148,229 per annum (Level B)
This role attracts 17% superannuation (pension) in addition to the base salary.
This position is full-time and will be made on a fixed term basis for 2 years.
UTS staff also benefit from a wide range of Employee Benefits include flexible work practices, generous parental leave and salary packaging opportunities.
How To Apply
To apply, please submit the following;
1. Your current resume
2. A cover letter explaining your suitability for this vacancy
3. An expression of interest (no more than two pages) outlining your proposed project
Instructions for expression of interest
Candidates should feel free to design a project that fits broadly within the themes of gender/gender bias and the regulation of AI that suits their interests, experience and skills. This may be a multi-country, comparative investigation or a deep-dive into a single issue, a particular jurisdiction or a particular application of AI. It is expected that attention would be given to compounded discrimination experienced by women (gender + race + socio-economic status etc.) and how their project will address it.
The EOI (max. 2 pages) should set out the project's background, aims and objectives, research questions, methodology and expected outputs. If selected for an interview, you will be expected to prepare a longer project proposal (max. 7 pages) and present your project proposal (max. 10 minutes) to the interview panel.
UTS is committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce and we encourage applicants where relevant to include a relative to opportunity or career disruption/break statement within their CV.
Only those applications submitted via the UTS online recruitment system will be accepted.? If you are a current UTS staff member, for help on how to apply through NEO please click here.
As you will be unable to save your application once started, please have all required documents and information available prior to commencing.
Please ensure that the file name for each document submitted includes reference number IRC332522 and your name.
Specific enquiries or issues with your application may be directed to Melissa Ali in the UTS Recruitment Team at recruitment@uts.edu.au.
Closing Date: Friday 24 April 2026 at 11.59pm (AEST)
We are open to international applications
UTS prioritises safety, respect, and inclusion for every member of our community. In support of this, and in line with our statutory obligations under the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2026, all prospective employees must declare any past investigations relating to gender-based violence. Employment at UTS is contingent upon completion of this declaration, and, where necessary, assessment of any identified risk factors. We appreciate your role in upholding the standards and behaviour expected of our community.
