Research Assistant / Associate in AI and HCI

 

Salary: 

Research Assistant: £32,546 - £34,132 per annum, pro rata

Research Associate: £35,116 per annum, pro rata

 

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

 

Closing Date: 12 February 2025

 

The Role

 

We are delighted to announce a new opportunity for a Research Assistant/Associate  to join the FAMOUS project within the School of Computing. You will become part of a thriving community of researchers based in the Urban Sciences Building, located on the Helix site in the heart of Newcastle. This state-of-the-art facility supports world-class research and teaching.

 

The FAMOUS project aims to detect and reduce the spread of fraudulent online activities across Europe, including influencer marketing fraud, phishing scams, and counterfeit product sales. Leveraging advanced technologies, such as large language models (LLMs) and cybersecurity tools, FAMOUS will identify and monitor networks of fake activity shops operating across multiple European countries. This interdisciplinary initiative brings together social media platforms, regulatory bodies, academics, and the public to develop innovative tools, strategies, and policy recommendations for safeguarding digital ecosystems and enhancing trust online.

 

You will support the Academic Director, Dr Lei Shi, by contributing to various research and project tasks. These may include conducting literature reviews, programming, identifying new partners and collaborators, drafting research reports, creating website or social media content, and assisting in academic event planning.

 

We welcome applicants with a postgraduate qualification in a field pertinent to artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. Ideal candidates should demonstrate proven expertise in Generative AI and LLMs, along with strong motivation to advance the FAMOUS project’s objectives. You must be comfortable working both autonomously and in a collaborative team environment.

 

We are seeking an individual who is consistently methodical in their approach to research and adept at problem solving. We are looking for someone who is naturally collaborative and focused on producing high-quality research outputs as part of a diverse and interdisciplinary team. You should have excellent interpersonal skills, with a talent for building professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You may be required to design, create and present group research findings to external stakeholders, we are therefore looking for an individual who is innovative and possesses excellent communication skills.

 

For all informal enquiries, please contact Dr Lei Shi lei.shi@newcastle.ac.uk

 

For more information about the School of Computing, please click here

 

For more information about our research, please click here

 

This position is available on a part time (20 hours per week), fixed term basis, to start immediately until 31st July 2025. 

 

To apply, please complete an online application and upload a plain text copy of your CV and covering letter only. In your covering letter, you should evidence how you meet or exceed the essential and desirable requirements for the role. Please note, any other ‘Additional Document’ you upload may not be received by the reviewing panel.

 

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

 

Key Accountabilities
•    Propose ideas and improvements to support technical and methodological aspects of the project
•    Select and apply appropriate research methodologies
•    Evaluate research results and identify the potential for further exploration
•    Contribute to research publications, seminars, and conference presentations
•    Present findings at relevant conferences or publish in reputable outlets in the field
•    Assist in the development of grant applications and work towards your own research funding proposals

 

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 
•    Strong understanding of human-AI interaction and human-centric approaches
•    Demonstrated experience applying LLMs to cybersecurity challenges
•    Ability to design and conduct user studies
•    Exceptional attention to detail, maintaining high accuracy in your work
•    Ability to communicate complex findings clearly to diverse audiences
•    Proven capability in data analysis and report writing
•    Experience collaborating effectively within a research team
•    Initiative and creativity in solving research problems
•    Knowledge of the broader research environment
•    Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
•    Track record of delivering presentations at academic conferences and publishing in high-quality outlets

 

Attributes and Behaviour
•    Commitment to working positively as part of a multi-skilled research team
•    Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
•    Dedication to continuous professional development
•    Understanding of and commitment to best practices in equality, inclusion, and diversity

 

Qualifications

•    Research Assistant: Honours degree in a field relevant to artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction
•    Research Associate: PhD Degree in a field relevant to artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction

 

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

 

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

 

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

 

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 27879