The University of Cambridge seeks a Research Associate to join an ambitious research programme in machine learning for astronomical imaging, led by Dr. Miles Cranmer (DAMTP/IoA) and Professor Vasily Belokurov (IoA). The primary function of these posts is research and innovation: developing novel AI methods for the detection and characterisation of low surface brightness structure in wide-field astronomical imaging and advancing these methods to operate at the scale of forthcoming surveys.
The role holder will conduct original research into machine learning approaches to source detection, deblending, and low surface brightness feature recovery, including generative and simulation-based methods. Alongside this research, they will design and build the software stack that applies these methods to large survey datasets, spanning data pipelines, model training and evaluation infrastructure, and deployment on GPU and HPC systems. They will publish their results in peer-reviewed journals, present at international conferences, and release open-source research software associated with the programme.
The post is funded by a philanthropic gift. The role holder will work closely with the research groups of Dr. Cranmer and Professor Belokurov and will have access to new wide-field imaging data through the programme's links to observational surveys.
Duties include developing and conducting individual and collaborative research objectives, proposals and projects. The role holder will be expected to plan and manage their own research and administration, with guidance if required, and to assist in the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies. You must be able to communicate material of a technical nature and be able to build internal and external contacts. You may be asked to assist in the supervision of student projects, the development of student research skills, provide instruction or plan/deliver seminars relating to the research area.
The successful candidate will have a PhD, or close to completion of a PhD (thesis submitted), or equivalent research experience to PhD, in machine learning, computer science, astronomy, physics, mathematics, or a related computational discipline.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.
To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.
Informal inquiries can be made by contacting Dr Miles Cranmer at .
If you have any queries about the application process, please email .
The closing date for applications is Monday, 21 September 2026.
Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date.
Please indicate the contact details of two academic referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae and a description of your recent research (not to exceed three pages). Please ensure that at least one of your referees is contactable at any time during the selection process and is made aware that they will be contacted by the Mathematics HR Office Administrator to request that they upload a reference for you to our Web Recruitment System; and please encourage them to do so promptly.
Please quote reference LE50980 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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