Jobs

We are committed to training and collaborating with great people in a variety of fields and disciplines. We are always looking to support and engage with creative, thoughtful scholarship at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy.

2025-2026 PhD Researcher on Youth and AI

Deadline to Apply: August 22, 2025 (*note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis)

Start Date: Week of September 2, 2025

Position Start and End Dates: September 2025 - April 2026; 10-15hrs per week

Position Overview

Working closely with Helen Hayes, the Researcher will support the production of an AI Guide and an online educational platform about AI for Canadian youth.

Responsibilities

Research & Briefings

  1. Conduct literature reviews and scan existing public education materials on AI and youth

    digital safety.

  2. Prepare concise, well-structured research briefs on:

    • How AI works (generative models, algorithms, content moderation, etc.)

    • Safe and ethical engagement with AI platforms, including safety-by-design and other age appropriate design mechanisms

    • Practical detection strategies and digital literacy approaches

    • Youth-led advocacy, creative uses of AI, and global governance trends

Content Development

  1. Work with Helen Hayes to translate research into engaging, plain-language copy for an

    AI Guide for Canadian youth.

  2. Collaborate on the structure, narrative, and design direction of the AI Guide.

  3. Co-develop source-verified, interactive, and accessible content for an online website that

    will host the AI Guide and other resources to promote AI literacy amongst Canadian

    youth.

National Youth Forum Integration

  1. In conjunction with Helen Hayes and the Centre’s Youth Fellows, prepare research

    packs to inform the curriculums of the Centre’s National Youth Forums on AI, taking

    place between November 2025 and March 2026.

Project Support

  1. Assist in liaising with designers, illustrators, and web developers for the AI Guide and

    online platform.

  2. Support dissemination and outreach efforts to schools, libraries, and community

    partners.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Candidates for this role must be PhD students/candidates in Communication Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Sociology, Education, or Information Studies, or another discipline relevant to technology governance. Candidates should bring a strong combination of scholarly expertise, policy awareness, and practical communication skills to this role.

  • Actively enrolled in a PhD program with a research focus connected to AI, youth, digital

    safety, or the social and policy implications of emerging technologies.

  • Proven ability to conduct rigorous literature reviews, synthesize scholarly and policy

    research, and identify key trends in AI governance, safety-by-design, and digital literacy.

  • Understanding of both Canadian and global policy landscapes around AI and youth

    safety.

  • Demonstrated talent for knowledge mobilization, including the ability to transform

    academic and technical concepts into accessible, plain-language content for

    non-specialist audiences, particularly young people.

  • Motivated to produce work that not only informs but also empowers Canadian youth to

    engage critically and confidently with AI technologies.

How To Apply 

To apply, please submit the following materials to Helen Hayes at helen.hayes@mcgill.ca by Friday, August 22, 2025 at 5:00pm ET (note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis): 

  • Your CV/resume

  • One academic writing sample

  • Name and contact information of one (1) reference