Research Fellow (Data Science and AI) - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - 105526 - Grade 7

Position Details

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

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 co-evolution and competent adoption across disciplines to enable transformative, interdisciplinary, impactful data-intensive 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 Institute's research themes and work done by Institute Fellows and Affiliates. These strategic appointments will be instrumental in delivering the Institute's 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 the Institute for Data and AI (IDAI), the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), and other strategic research initiatives such as the Met Office Academic Partnership and Birmingham’s 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 Tier-2 Baskerville system.

Summary of Role

We are seeking early-career researchers with strong technical backgrounds in AI/Data Science and a commitment to interdisciplinary research. The successful candidates will actively participate in the Institute's mission to drive impactful data-intensive research, by:

• Conducting high-quality research
• Supporting research groups across the University develop new project proposals centred on data-intensive research
• Engaging with stakeholders across academia and industry
• Developing recommendations to help the shaping of research priorities, both internally and to funders, through co-authoring and co-editing 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 IDAI's 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 IDAI's 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 IDAI's emerging themes
• Contribute to grant writing and project development to secure external funding
• Support the development and success of IDAI’s 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 Institute's work to external audiences
• Support the translation of research into practical applications
• Contribute to the Institute's pump-prime 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 Institute's Thematic Networks
• Mentor students and early-career researchers in data science and AI methods
• Contribute to building the Institute's research community
• Foster connections with the Alan Turing Institute and other strategic partners
• Engage in administrative duties within the university, particularly those related to IDAI’s 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 research-related activities and research-related 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 IDAI's theme areas
• Experience in stakeholder engagement
• Background in developing ethical and responsible AI solutions

Role Particulars

Environment and Support

You'll be based in Elm House, IDAI's 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

You'll benefit from:

• Direct engagement with IDAI's strategic partnerships
• Access to high-performance 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 IDAI's 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: h.j.wilkinson@bham.ac.uk and Professor Slava Jankin, email: v.jankin@bham.ac.uk 

View our staff values and behaviours here 

 

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 everyone on our website.