Research Fellow Data Science and AI - College of Engineering and Physical SciencesGrade 7
Research Fellow Data Science and AI - College of Engineering and Physical SciencesGrade 7
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£ 36130 - 45413
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Position Details
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36130 to 45413 with potential progression once in post to 48149
Grade: 7
Full Time Fixed Term contract up to 31 July 2028
Closing date: 27th April 2025
Background
The Institute for Data and AI (IDAI) promotes excellence in Data Engineering Data Science and AI theory and practice ensuring their coevolution and competent adoption across disciplines to enable transformative interdisciplinary impactful dataintensive research. The Institute brings together researchers and educators from across the University around a shared ambition to address grand societal challenges through open collaboration across disciplinary boundaries.
IDAI is looking to recruit two Postdoctoral Research Fellows who will play critical roles in expanding and multiplying research efforts directly emerging from the Institutes research themes and work done by Institute Fellows and Affiliates. These strategic appointments will be instrumental in delivering the Institutes mission of promoting research excellence in Data Science methods and AI models while ensuring their principled and competent adoption across disciplines.
Our approach is anchored in fostering an interdisciplinary and inclusive culture in research and education across our Colleges and Schools providing a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives come together to address problems and challenges that transcend the boundaries of individual disciplines.
These roles will be based in Elm House; a dedicated space for theInstitute for Data and AI (IDAI) theBirmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA) and other strategic research initiatives such as theMet Office Academic PartnershipandBirminghams Turing University Network. The recently renovated Elm House is a building fully dedicated to open inclusive and inspiring research spaces for academics and their collaborators. In addition the University of Birmingham offers exceptional High Performance Computing facilities including through the Tier2 Baskerville system.
Summary of Role
We are seeking earlycareer researchers with strong technical backgrounds in AI/Data Science and a commitment to interdisciplinary research. The successful candidates will actively participate in the Institutes mission to drive impactful dataintensive research by:
- Conducting highquality research
- Supporting research groups across the University develop new project proposals centred on dataintensive research
- Engaging with stakeholders across academia and industry
- Developing recommendations to help the shaping of research priorities both internally and to funders through coauthoring and coediting research vision and policy documents
It may also include any of the following:
- Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
- Operate within area of specialism
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results
- Contribute to generating funding
The post holders will engage in developing and leading research projects contributing to IDAIs emerging thematic networks. Current examples of developing themes include; AI for Climate AI Safety Environmental Research Sustainable Manufacturing and Health Data Science though new themes are expected to emerge as the Institute grows. Together they will create a collaborative research environment that exemplifies IDAIs distinct approach to interdisciplinary data science and AI research.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
Research and Innovation:
- Develop innovative research programmes aligned with IDAIs emerging themes
- Contribute to grant writing and project development to secure external funding
- Support the development and success of IDAIs Thematic Collaborative Networks
- Develop novel methodologies and approaches in data science and AI
- Contribute to technology and research horizon scanning with the goal of developing research strategy and influencing funders priorities
Knowledge Exchange and Impact:
- Engage with external partners including industry policymakers and other academic institutions
- Represent and promote the Institutes work to external audiences
- Support the translation of research into practical applications
- Contribute to the Institutes pumpprime funding scheme
- Participate in organising workshops seminars and other knowledge exchange activities
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Disseminate research findings for publication research seminars etc
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
Collaboration and Engagement:
- Work closely with IDAI Fellows and Affiliates across the University
- Support interdisciplinary collaboration through the Institutes Thematic Networks
- Mentor students and earlycareer researchers in data science and AI methods
- Contribute to building the Institutes research community
- Foster connections with the Alan Turing Institute and other strategic partners
- Engage in administrative duties within the university particularly those related to IDAIs research knowledge exchange and impact
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Other potential duties:
- Contribute to developing new models techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to Departmental/School researchrelated activities and researchrelated administration
- Contribute to enterprise business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods such as scientific experimentation literature reviews and research interviews
- Present research outputs including drafting academic publications or parts thereof for example at seminars and as posters
- Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
Essential:
- PhD (or near completion) in Computer Science Data Science AI or a related field with substantial expertise in data science/AI methods
- Strong publication record in relevant areas
- Demonstrated ability to work across disciplinary boundaries
- Strong analytical skills and experience in developing and implementing machine learning/AI solutions using relevant languages and frameworks
- Excellent communication skills and proven ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders
- Technology and research horizon scanning skills
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
Desirable:
- Experience in securing research funding
- Track record of interdisciplinary collaboration
- Expertise in one or more of IDAIs theme areas
- Experience in stakeholder engagement
- Background in developing ethical and responsible AI solutions
Role Particulars
Environment and Support
Youll be based in Elm House IDAIs dedicated space designed for collaboration and innovation working alongside:
- IDAI Director Deputy Directors and Institute management committees
- IDAI Fellows and Affiliates from across the University
- The Research Data Science team
- Visiting researchers and collaborators
- Partners from industry and government
- Institute operations team
- Research Engagement and Impact professional service teams
Youll benefit from:
- Direct engagement with IDAIs strategic partnerships
- Access to highperformance computing facilities including Baskerville HPC
- Opportunities to shape emerging research themes and networks
- Support for developing independent research programmes
- Dedicated research and travel budget
How to Apply
Please submit:
- CV
- Research statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your expertise aligns with IDAIs mission and themes
- Cover letter describing your interest in the role
- Names and contact details of three referees
Informal enquiries to Dr Hazel Wilkin email: and Professor Slava Jankin email:
View our staff values and behaviourshere
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.
Employment Type
Full-Time
