Students

Job Posting

Research Assistants at the AI Ethics Lab

Updated: October 15, 2024

The AI Ethics Lab is a social science research initiative that examines how artificial intelligence affects communities at both local and global levels. Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Nathan C. Walker, the lab supports the development of the Munich Convention on AI and Human Rights. Through ethics and legal research, the team investigates how human rights instruments can be applied to regulate the entire lifecycle of AI technologies—from development to deployment to oversight. This research is grounded in core ethical principles, including human dignity, privacy, transparency, fairness, safety, and accountability. It is a collaboration between Rutgers University-Camden’s Digital Studies Center (DiSC), the Department of Philosophy & Religion, and international partners from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

About the Departments: DiSC is a research center that conducts and supports research at the convergence of digital technologies and the various disciplines of the Rutgers-Camden College of Arts and Sciences. The Department of Philosophy & Religion sponsors courses and research about the various ways in which human beings understand and express the nature and meaning of reality, knowledge, life, the self, societies, ethics, and values.

Research Deliverables: Research assistants will collaboratively design and publish a knowledge base and map AI ethics and AI’s relationship to human rights instruments. (1) AI Knowledge Base: Collaboratively craft a glossary of terms that makes technical and legal jargon accessible to a general audience. This living knowledge base will ensure key terms remain relevant as technology and AI regulations develop. (2) Mapping AI Ethics: Explore philosophical and applied ethical principles related to AI, such as human dignity, privacy, transparency, fairness, safety, and accountability. Research assistants will help build a comprehensive, annotated bibliography and conduct a literature review. (3) Mapping AI and Human Rights: Investigate how AI intersects with global human rights instruments and impacts multinational corporations.

Ideal Candidates: The AI Ethics Lab engages undergraduate and graduate students at any stage of their academic careers. No prior experience in computer science, philosophy, or law is required; however, students majoring or minoring in these disciplines are encouraged to apply. Maintaining a strong academic standing is the highest priority. Therefore, applicants must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and students enrolled in more than five courses are encouraged not to apply for this demanding research position. During the application and interview stages, candidates should demonstrate a track record of exceptional academic assignments that showcase self-motivation and strong task-completion skills. Our research team intentionally fosters a relational culture, prioritizing collegiality, effective communication, mental flexibility, and high attention to detail. Applicants should be self-disciplined team players who thrive in creative and collaborative environments.

Commitments & Benefits: Research assistants are expected to dedicate a minimum of six hours per week, physically working from the Digital Studies Center at Rutgers-Camden. Appointments are semester-based (Fall, Spring, Summer) and potentially renewed based on excellent performance. Participation in this project offers hands-on experience in social science and legal research methods, a deeper understanding of AI ethics and law, and the opportunity to earn publication credits for meaningful contributions to the research projects.

Application Process: To apply, please email program coordinator Doreen Wheeler at wheelerd@camden.rutgers.edu explaining your interest in the project. Students who advance to the next stage will be invited to submit a formal cover letter, resume, and application form and partake in an interview.

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your interest in taking one of my courses. I am delighted to see such enthusiasm for these subjects and look forward to the opportunity to explore them with you. Recently, some of my courses reached full capacity within the first few days of enrollment.

I am pleased to offer a waitlist for those who are still interested in joining if a seat becomes available. The waitlist will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Should a seat open up by the end of the first week of the semester, I will email students to register for the class in the order in which their requests were received.

In the meantime, I encourage you to add your name to the waitlist and take two additional steps. First, continue to regularly check the registration platform, as some seats may become available before I am notified. Second, consult with your academic advisor to explore alternative course options that align with your academic goals.

Thank you for your understanding and for being proactive in your course planning. I look forward to the opportunity to learn with and from you!

Wishing you continued success at Rutgers and beyond.

Cheers,
Nate

Dr. Nathan C. Walker, Lecturer II
Honors College Faculty Fellow
Principal Investigator, AI Ethics Lab
Department of Philosophy & Religion
College of Arts and Science
Rutgers University, Camden

 

To join the waitlist, please provide the following information here:

Waitlist

Dear Students,

Thank you for enrolling in one of my courses. I recommend directly after the first class, add all due dates and homework assignments to your online calendar and sync across all your devices—phone, tablet, and desktop. Make sure to set automatic reminders to keep you on track. Pay particular attention to the time you allocate for completing all reading and writing assignments, as some weeks will have more content than others.

My online, hybrid, and onsite classes meet for a total of three hours each week, typically split into one three-hour or two 90-minute sessions. Please add these sessions to your personal calendar. Additionally, plan for two hours of studying for every one hour spent in class—this includes reading, writing, and reviewing course material.

According to federal and regional accreditation guidelines, one undergraduate course requires six hours of study per week (3 class hours × 2). Combined with class time, this leads to a total commitment of nine hours per week (3 class hours + 6 study hours). Each class is worth three credits, following the standard that one credit equals one hour of class time per week.

Taking four college classes, therefore, is a 36-hour weekly commitment, equivalent to a full-time job. Understanding the following credit-hour breakdown will help you plan your schedule effectively.

Number of Classes	Total Credits	Online or In-Person Learning per Week	Study Hours per Week	Total Hours per Week
1	3	3	6	9
2	6	6	12	18
3	9	9	18	27
4	12	12	24	36

 

The pace, content, and difficulty level of my courses require students’ full engagement for up to nine hours per week.

For these reasons, I do not recommend enrolling in more than five courses per semester.

I hope this calendaring formula will aid in your continued success.

Cheers,
Nate

 

Dr. Nathan C. Walker, Lecturer II
Honors College Faculty Fellow
Principal Investigator, AI Ethics Lab
Department of Philosophy & Religion
College of Arts and Science
Rutgers University, Camden

Netiquette, or internet etiquette, is crucial for effective and respectful online communication. This guide will cover various aspects of netiquette, with a focus on email but also applicable to other digital platforms. Following these guidelines will help you communicate professionally with professors, staff, and peers.

I. Email Communication. Emails are formal communications that document important information. Before writing, consider: Who needs this information? What is your main point? When do you need a response? Where: Is email the best way to communicate this information, or is an in-person meeting better?

II. Key Recommendations

1. Subject Line: Use clear, specific subjects. Examples: “Question about [Course Name] Assignment Due 9/15” or “Request for Letter of Recommendation”
2. Salutation: Address the recipient appropriately. For professors: “Dear Professor Smith” or “Hi Dr. Johnson,” for staff: “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]” or “Hi [First Name]” (if they’ve introduced themselves that way), for peers: “Hi [Name]” is usually fine. If you use the salutation “Hello,” make sure to remember to include the letter “o”!
3. Format: Keep it simple and readable. Use paragraphs or bullet points for clarity.
4. Conciseness: Be brief but complete. For longer communication, attach a formal letter or proposal.
5. Context: Clearly state your class and section if applicable. Example: “I’m in your [Class Name], which meets Mondays at 10 AM.”
6. Sign-Off: End with a professional sign-off: “Thank you, [Your Full Name]”
7. Signature: In your signature, include your full name, major/minor, college/school, email address, and phone number.

III. When Not to Use Email

• Emergencies: For urgent matters, visit office hours or use the method specified by your professor.
• Disputes: Conflicts are better handled in person, either after class or during an advisement or coaching session.
• Personal Issues: For sensitive topics, schedule a face-to-face meeting.

IV. Additional Tips for College Students

1. Emails are not Texts: Do not write emails as if they are one-line text messages. This can come across as unprofessional.
2. Response Time: Don’t expect immediate replies. Allow two to three working days before expecting a follow-up.
3. Office Hours: Use these for complex questions or discussions that don’t fit in an email.
4. Attachments: Clearly label files (e.g., “LastName_HIST101_Memo1.docx”). Mention attachments in your email body.
5. Proofread: Always check for spelling and grammar errors before sending an email or assignment. Students are encouraged to use Grammarly Pro to proofread their emails and assignments.
6. Tone: Stay professional. Avoid emoticons, slang, or overly casual language.
7. Email Etiquette Don’ts: Don’t use all caps (it seems like shouting), and don’t use “Hey” or no salutation.

By following these guidelines, you’ll communicate more effectively in your academic career and prepare for professional communication in the future.

Dear Students,

Thank you for coordinating with the Office for Disability Services to send your accommodation requests. Please know that I am here to support you every step of the way! I have three learning disabilities and understand the importance of accessible education. That’s why I use an accommodation-by-design approach when creating my courses, especially those hosted on ReligionAndPublicLife.org, to be inclusive and accommodating by default.

I’m pleased to share that the course includes many built-in accommodations (please see the companion demo video of a sample class):

• Reading Materials: Available in multiple formats—text on screen, flipbook, and downloadable PDFs.
• Multimedia Content: My video lectures and audio messages are available on-demand, complete with closed captions for accessibility and increased engagement.
• Edutainment: I love combining entertainment with education. For example, many handouts are accompanied by a NotebookLM podcast to enhance retention through engaging discussions.
• Gamified Learning: Interactive games and quizzes can be completed at your own pace, with instant feedback and no time limits.
• Journals: Written assignments are journal entries with prompts provided, serving as study notes for our live Socratic Seminars.
• Live Discussions: I often design my courses using a live Socratic Seminar, either in person or via Zoom. There are usually 3-5 other students majoring in your chosen character, allowing you to build upon one another’s ideas.
• Personalized Coaching: Unlimited one-on-one coaching sessions are available—schedule via sites.rutgers.edu/walker.

I care deeply about not just what you learn but how you learn it. Through this experience, I want you to gain confidence and a deeper sense of intellectual self-worth.

I look forward to learning with and from you!

Cheers,

Nate

 

Dr. Nathan C. Walker, Lecturer II
Honors College Faculty Fellow
Principal Investigator, AI Ethics Lab
Department of Philosophy & Religion
College of Arts and Science
Rutgers University, Camden

Center for Learning and Student Success

The Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) provides comprehensive, high-quality academic support programs in partnership with offices and academic departments across Rutgers-Camden. CLASS programs are facilitated by professional staff, graduate students, and trained undergraduate peer leaders who have previously excelled in their courses. CLASS supports students to achieve their academic goals through one-on-one tutoring sessions, supplemental instruction, workshops, and peer academic coaching.

• One-on-One and Small Group Tutoring: Each student has unique learning needs. CLASS offers personalized assistance in various subjects through individual sessions or small group tutoring. These sessions are about learning and making every student feel valued and important in their academic journey.
• Writing Support: The writing specialists at CLASS help students at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and drafting to revising and finalizing their work.
• Student Study Groups: CLASS strongly believes in the power of peer-to-peer learning. Students can opt in to “Study Buddies,” a feature within the Navigate Student application that connects them with other students interested in creating study groups outside of class. Studying with a partner or in groups is an excellent way to supplement the material students are learning in class and helps them stay motivated!
• Support for Students on Academic Warning or Probation: Dedicated learning specialists offer tailored support for students on academic warning, probation, or continued probation. These professionals work closely with students to identify challenges, develop action plans, and provide the necessary tools and strategies to help them regain good academic standing.
• Success Coaching: CLASS provides success coaching for new students, students earning between 54 and 66 credits, and incoming transfer students. Our success coaches help students navigate their academic journey, offering guidance on goal setting, time management, and successful transitions to Rutgers-Camden.

CLASS services are offered to all Rutgers-Camden undergraduates at no additional cost. You are invited to call CLASS at (856) 225-6442, visit https://class.camden.rutgers.edu/ or come to the CLASS office located on the 2nd floor of Armitage Hall.

Recommended Copyediting Service

I highly recommend that all students purchase the premium plan with Grammarly. It will help you identify typos and grammar errors. It will suggest corrections to transform the passive voice to the active voice. See video.

If you want additional support, I recommend purchasing credits with Wordy.com, which provides 24/7 copyediting support. Two days before your assignment is due, upload your draft memo in MSWord, and the copyeditor will use track changes to help you fix your typos and give you feedback about your essay. Accept or reject those proposed changes and revise your essay based on the copyeditor’s comments.

Paul Robeson Library

Paul Robeson Library, located in the heart of the Rutgers–Camden campus, serves as an exceptional learning and study environment and a center for research at all levels. Through the Robeson Library, the Rutgers–Camden community can access the global resources of the Rutgers University Library System, as well as a host of online services.

Rutgers-Camden Law Library

Rutgers-Camden Law Library is one of New Jersey’s most prominent law libraries and offers excellent research facilities for students, legal practitioners, and the general public. The Law Library houses 440,000 bibliographic units in book and microform, and the collection is comprehensive in its holdings of American, English, Canadian, and foreign legal periodicals. A selective federal depository, the Rutgers Law Library hosts numerous online collections of public documents related to federal and New Jersey courts.

Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs works to improve the quality of student life on and off campus. It is an excellent resource if you need help with concerns that are wider than comprehension of the material in this class. For example, it can help with academic advising, health concerns, stress management, new or transfer student issues, international student concerns, etc. For more information regarding their resources, contact the Division of Student Affairs at (856) 225-6050 or visit studentaffairs.camden.rutgers.edu.

Office of Disability Services

Suppose you need academic support for this course. In that case, accommodations can be provided once you share your accommodations indicated in a Letter of Accommodation issued by the Office of Disability Services (ODS). If you have already registered with ODS and have your letter of accommodations, please share this with me early in the course. If you have not registered with ODS and you have or think you have a disability (learning, sensory, physical, chronic health, mental health, or attentional), please get in touch with ODS by first visiting their website success.camden.rutgers.edu/disability-services. The website will further direct you to who to contact and how to contact them, depending on the free, confidential services you need. Please Note: Accommodations will be provided only for students with a Letter of Accommodation from ODS. Accommodation letters only provide information about the accommodation, not the disability or diagnosis.

Support for Students with Disabilities

Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University’s educational programs. To receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the appropriate disability services office where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: ods.rutgers.edu/students/documentation-guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with a Letter of Accommodation. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them on the first day of class. To begin this process, please complete the Registration form on the ODS website at ods.rutgers.edu/students/registering-for-services.

Basic Needs Security

If you have difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, lack a safe and stable place to live, and do not have regular access to technology and believe this may affect your performance in the course, you are urged to contact the Dean of Students for support. You can utilize the Rutgers University-Camden Food Pantry.

Dean of Students Office. You can learn more about the free services by calling 856-225-6050, emailing deanofstudents@camden.rutgers.edu, or visiting the website at camden.rutgers.edu

Rutgers-Camden Food Pantry. You can learn more about this free service by calling 856-225-6005, emailing scarlet-raptor-foodpantry@camden.rutgers.edu, or visiting the website at camden.rutgers.edu/ru-camden-raptor-pantry

Building a Support System

Consider sharing your calendar with a classmate. This mutual sharing can be a great way to stay accountable to your study objectives. Additionally, I expect every student to use the writing center, irrespective of their current writing skill level.

Student Success

1. Meet with the student success center to discuss time management strategies;
2. Sign up for student study groups;
3. Sign up for success coaching;
4. Sign up for tutoring; and
5. Sign up for writing support.
6. And of course, sign up for a student coaching session to meet with Dr. Walker.

Grammarly for Education

Leverage the “Grammarly for Education” plan, which is free for all Rutgers Students. Features include vocabulary suggestions, genre-specific style checks, tone recommendations, plagiarism detection, grammar-checking, citation assistance, and more. I recommend using this software to copyedit all of your communications, from assignments, emails, cover letters, resumes, social media posts, and text messages.

Writing Tips

1. Step 1: Plan. Begin by thoroughly reviewing the assignment. Use this understanding to organize your reading schedule for the week.
2. Step 2: Reflect. During your reading, note the main points made by the authors and differentiate these from your thoughts. Before writing, brainstorm or create a mind map of the key ideas you want to highlight. Think about the primary and secondary arguments you wish to present.
3. Step 3: Outline. Formulate a central thesis and link it to the sources you plan to use. Strengthen your arguments by citing credible sources, adding validity to each point you discuss.
4. Step 4: Draft. Compose your initial draft. Read it out loud to yourself, or use text-to-speech software on your computer for a different perspective. Reflect on whether your writing effectively communicates your ideas and if your points are reinforced with appropriate supporting material.
5. Step 5: Revise. Look for and correct typos and eliminate unnecessary wording to enhance clarity and conciseness.
6. Step 6: Submit. Once satisfied with your draft, submit it by the specified due date and time.
7. Step 7: Incorporate. I will provide feedback using the Track Changes feature. Use this guidance to refine and improve your final submission.

Dear Students,

Thank you for inviting me to serve as a reference. To ensure I can write the most impactful letter, please provide me with the following information.

Three Weeks Before the Due Date

Step 1. Prepare Letter Template.

• Please download, fill out, and email me a Microsoft Word document with details on how to address the letter.
• Address the letter to a specific person in a position of authority.
• Include details about yourself, the program or position you are applying for, and a paragraph summarizing our previous interactions, highlighting specific projects or assignments you completed in my classes.
• Ensure all information is factual; I will elaborate based on these facts in my assessment.

Step 2. Send Admissions Essay or Cover Letter.

• Share your personal statement or cover letter articulating your motivation and goals. This will help me tailor the recommendation to align with your aspirations.

Step 3. Send Resume or CV.

• Attach your resume or curriculum vitae summarizing your academic achievements, work experience, and volunteer activities.

Step 4. Send Academic Transcript.

• Provide a copy of your unofficial academic transcript to help me accurately comment on your academic performance.

Step 5. Include Your Online Presence. 

• Include links to your professional online profiles, such as LinkedIn or a personal website.

Step 6. Clarify Submission Instructions.

• Please provide clear instructions on how and where to submit the recommendation letter, including any specific formats or due dates.

One Week Before the Due Date

Please send me a reminder email to ensure I am on track with your recommendation. If you haven’t received confirmation from me 48 hours before the due date, feel free to follow up.

Please note that I only submit letters for students who have waived their right to view the recommendation letters.

Thank you for including me in this formative time of your life. I am honored to support your academic and professional aspirations.

Cheers,
Nate

 

Dr. Nathan C. Walker, Lecturer II
Honors College Faculty Fellow
Principal Investigator, AI Ethics Lab
Department of Philosophy and Religion
College of Arts and Science
Rutgers University, Camden
429 Cooper Street
Camden, NJ 08102