Researcher: AI & Data Science in Assessment

Location – This is a hybrid role to be based out of one of the British Council UK offices (Manchester, Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Belfast)

Requirements – Candidates must have the pre-existing (permanent) right to work in the UK.  Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

The British Council is looking to appoint an AI/Data Science Researcher within the Assessment Research Group (ARG) to work on cutting-edge language assessment projects and help strengthen the British Council's position in the field. 

The role holder will apply AI and machine learning expertise to develop and support language assessment and learning products. Responsibilities include accessing and managing large datasets, implementing analysis procedures, and supporting tenders involving AI and machine learning. The post holder is also expected to support the dissemination of the research that is carried out within the team, via both spoken presentations and written reports. 

Subject/Sector Expertise:

• Contribute to bolstering the British Council's global position in language assessment and learning, focusing on AI, machine learning, and data science.
• Collaborate with ARG Senior Researchers to design, collect, and analyse data for research projects, applying innovative AI and machine learning techniques. Your responsibilities range from managing and analysing large datasets to implementing machine learning tools for research projects. 

Relationship and Stakeholder Management:

• Forge partnerships with various teams working on assessment, teaching, and learning products within the English and Exams SBU, as well as the Global Information Systems and Global Assessments teams.
• Engage with international research communities to stay informed about advancements in the field, informing the Council's strategy on the use of machine learning and AI. 

Product/Program Management or Development:

• Support the Senior Researcher in implementing the Council's research agenda on AI for learning and assessment.
• Participate in internal networks to understand product/service insights for effective ARG activities. 

Consultancy, Analysis, and Problem-Solving:

• Contribute to integrating data capture and analytics across our language products.
• Provide expert advice and data science expertise for educational reform and assessment development initiatives. 

Leadership & Management:

• Possibility of managing geographically dispersed individuals or small groups within ARG. 

Role specific knowledge and experience:

• Experience applying NLP and data science techniques to language assessment problems.
• Ability to use analytical tools (e.g. Excel, SPSS), scripting languages (Python, BASH, etc), NLP tools (NTLK, spaCy, etc).
• Ability to contribute expert knowledge of AI, NLP, machine learning and data science to project teams working on language assessment and learning solutions.
• MA/MSc or above in AI, Natural Language Processing, machine learning, computer science, statistics or data science. 

What you will receive in return

• 32 days annual leave plus statutory public holidays and half day privilege Christmas leave
• Non-contractual discretionary annual performance bonus
• Extensive and generous family friendly benefits
• Extensive range of voluntary benefit options
• Outstanding defined benefit career average Civil Service Pension Scheme which includes life cover and pensions for eligible dependants, e.g., Spouse, civil partner, partner, dependent children

A full description of the role and application instructions can be found via the 'Apply' button above.

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