DescriptionPosition Details
The Institute for Data and AI (IDAI)
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 July 2028
Closing date: 31st August 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 aPostdoctoral Research Fellow who as one of two Postdoctoral Research Fellows in the Institute will play a critical role in expanding and multiplying research efforts directly emerging from the Institutes research themes and work done by Institute Affiliates. These strategic appointment 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.
This role 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 addition the University of Birmingham offers exceptional High Performance Computing facilities including through the Tier-2 Baskerville system.
Role Summary
We are seeking early-career researchers with strong technical backgrounds in AI/Data Science and a commitment to interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate will actively participate in the Institutes mission to drive impactful data-intensive research by:
- Conducting high-quality research
- Supporting research groups across the University to 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
The post holder will engage in developing and leading research projects contributing to IDAIs interlocking thematic networks:Governance Economy and Social Impact; Health Environment and Resilience; Advanced Engineering Materials Science and Smart Manufacturing; Creative and Cultural Digital Futures; and Foundational Data Science and AI Methodologies. Together these themes create a collaborative research environment that exemplifies IDAIs distinct approach to interdisciplinary data science and AI research.
Main Duties
Research and Innovation:
- Develop innovative research programmes aligned with IDAIs research themes
- Propose plan and execute research projects under the IDAI banner
- Contribute to grant writing and project development to secure external funding
- Support the development and success of IDAIs Research Themes
- 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 pump-prime funding scheme
- Participate in organising workshops seminars and other knowledge exchange activities
Collaboration and Engagement:
- Work closely with IDAI Affiliates and Theme leads across the University
- Support interdisciplinary collaboration through the Institutes Research Themes
- Mentor students and early-career 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
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
- Knowledge transfer and enterprise experience
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 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
- Your applicationmustbe accompanied by a statement ofno more than 600 words (excluding bibliography and references as needed)addressing the three points below. Wherever possible cite concrete evidence for example: funding body year value your role publicly available outputs (papers software policy briefs):
- Shaping interdisciplinary data-intensive researchOutline up tothreeoccasions on which you initiated or materially shaped an interdisciplinary data-intensive research proposal. Specify:
- the disciplines and partners involved;
- how you integrated methods or theories across fields;
- the outcome (funded / not funded key lessons); and
- how the work aligns with current UKRI Horizon Europe or comparable industrial priorities in AI and data science.
- Influencing research agendas and policyGive one or two examples of vision papers white papers or strategy documents that you have co-authored or edited and that have helped steer institutional or funder priorities. Clarify your precise contribution and any demonstrable impact (e.g. citation in a funding call adoption by an R&D organisation reference in parliamentary briefings).
- Collaborating and communicating across sectorsSummarise your experience of working with non-academic stakeholders industry government third sector or the public. Highlight a case in which you translated complex AI concepts for a non-specialist audience and indicate the outcome (policy change prototype engagement metrics etc.).
(Within the word limit you may add a closing sentence indicating how you would contribute to the Institutes mission of building an interdisciplinary research ecosystem during your first year.)
- Cover letter describing your interest in the role
- Names and contact details of three referees
Informal enquiries to Dr Hazel Wilkinson Deputy Director IDAI email:orProf Slava Jankin Deputy Director IDAIemail:.
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.
