Research Fellow - School of Government - 105748 - Grade 8

School of Government

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,735 to £55,755 with potential progression once in post to £62,728

Grade: 8

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2029 

Closing date: 5th June 2025

Background

We are seeking a highly skilled Research Fellow to drive innovative computational social science research at the intersection of politics, health, and climate change. This role requires robust expertise in data science and machine learning, applied to complex social questions. The Research Fellow will join the prestigious Wellcome Trust-funded “The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change” collaboration, working with The Lancet and the World Health Organization to track global progress on health and climate change. The role is based at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Government (CAIG) and affiliated with the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA). You will be integral to the Working Group on Public and Political Engagement (WG5). Your work will involve leading cutting-edge research and providing data science expertise to our international network of regional centres  

Role Summary

To drive innovative computational social science research at the intersection of politics, health, and climate change, requiring robust expertise in data science and machine learning applied to complex social questions. The Research Fellow will be integral to the Working Group on Public and Political Engagement (WG5) of The Lancet Countdown, leading cutting-edge research and providing data science expertise to an international network of regional centres. This involves initiating and conducting original research with measurable outcomes, planning and designing research activities, contributing to research strategies, publishing results, and potentially supervising PhD students. The role will also involve making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities.

Main Duties

• Spearheading computational research: Design and execute projects analysing the politics of health and climate change using advanced quantitative methods.
• Applying advanced data science: Utilise machine learning (e.g., NLP, classification, clustering), statistical modelling, and other computational techniques (e.g., network analysis) on diverse datasets (text, survey, administrative, geospatial).
• Technical leadership & support: Guide regional centres in data analysis, computational methods, and the application of machine learning.
• Indicator development: Innovate and refine global indicators tracking public and political engagement with climate and health.
• Data management & analysis: Handle large-scale, complex datasets, from pre-processing and integration to sophisticated analysis and visualisation (using Python/R and associated libraries).
• Dissemination: Publish in high-impact journals and contribute to funding proposals.
• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support.
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff where appropriate.
• Present high-quality findings in publications and conference proceedings.
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued.
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and outside the University (if applicable).
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within the discipline.
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School.
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University.
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding.
• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Person Specification

• A PhD (or near completion) in a social science discipline (e.g., Political Science) with a strong computational/data science specialisation, OR a PhD in a quantitative field (e.g., Data Science, Computer Science) with significant research application in social/political science.
• Demonstrable proficiency in advanced data science: applied machine learning, statistical analysis, and handling complex data. Strong programming skills in Python or R are essential.
• Experience in applying computational methods to research questions in political science, health policy, or climate change.
• Proven ability to independently manage research projects and communicate complex findings to varied audiences.
• Understanding of the political dynamics of health and/or climate change.
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods.
• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action. 

Informal enquiries to Sobia Baig, email: s.baig.2@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.