Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Fixed Term contract up to September 2025

Background

As software and cyber-physical systems increasingly integrate machine learning components, whose behaviour can be unpredictable, ensuring their safety and alignment with expected outcomes is essential for responsible governance. Formal guarantees of compliance with predefined specifications are vital for establishing trust among systems, users, and regulatory bodies. In particular, there is a growing demand within AI communities for robust methodologies to formally verify the behaviour of complex systems that incorporate neural networks. The Research Fellow will play a crucial role within the Safeguarded AI project, funded by ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency). As a key contributor, they will work in close collaboration with Dr. Mirco Giacobbe (University of Birmingham) and Dr. Stefano Gogioso (University of Oxford and Hashberg Ltd), engaging in cutting-edge research in AI safety, formal verification, and automated reasoning.

Main Duties

The research fellow will be responsible for developing advanced theory and algorithms for automated reasoning in AI safety. This role involves:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader

This position is ideal for candidates eager to pursue a career in academia or advanced research, and who are encouraged to contribute their own independent research ideas to the project.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to formal verification, automated reasoning, theorem proving, or quantum computing or equivalent qualifications
• Proven ability to publish in top-tier conferences and journals in AI, computer-aided verification, automated reasoning, or quantum computing
• Experience presenting research findings at seminars and conferences and ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Proficiency in programming, with knowledge of (or willingness to learn) machine learning software, automated reasoning tools, or quantum simulation platforms.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• 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

Informal enquiries to Dr. Mirco Giacobbe, email: m.giacobbe@bham.ac.uk or Dr. Stefano Gogioso, email: stefano.gogioso@hashberg.io 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

Closes: 20/10/2024 

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