Research Fellow in Computational Social Science

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,735 to £55,755 with potential progression once in post to £62,728

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to February 2029  

Background

We are seeking a highly skilled Research Fellow to drive innovative computational social science research at the intersection of politics, health, and climate change. This role requires robust expertise in data science and machine learning, applied to complex social questions. The Research Fellow will join the prestigious Wellcome Trust-funded “The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change” collaboration, working with The Lancet and the World Health Organization to track global progress on health and climate change.

Based at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Government (CAIG) and affiliated with the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), you will be integral to the Working Group on Public and Political Engagement (WG5). Your work will involve leading cutting-edge research and providing data science expertise to our international network of regional centres.

Main Duties

• Spearheading computational research: Design and execute projects analysing the politics of health and climate change using advanced quantitative methods.
• Applying advanced data science: Utilise machine learning (e.g., NLP, classification, clustering), statistical modelling, and other computational techniques (e.g., network analysis) on diverse datasets (text, survey, administrative, geospatial).
• Technical leadership & support: Guide regional centres in data analysis, computational methods, and the application of machine learning.
• Indicator development: Innovate and refine global indicators tracking public and political engagement with climate and health.
• Data management & analysis: Handle large-scale, complex datasets, from pre-processing and integration to sophisticated analysis and visualisation (using Python/R and associated libraries).
• Dissemination: Publish in high-impact journals and contribute to funding proposals.
• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support.
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff where appropriate.
• Present high-quality findings in publications and conference proceedings.
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued.

Person Specification

• A PhD (or near completion) in a social science discipline (e.g., Political Science) with a strong computational/data science specialisation, OR a PhD in a quantitative field (e.g., Data Science, Computer Science) with significant research application in social/political science.
• Demonstrable proficiency in advanced data science: applied machine learning, statistical analysis, and handling complex data. Strong programming skills in Python or R are essential.
• Experience in applying computational methods to research questions in political science, health policy, or climate change.
• Proven ability to independently manage research projects and communicate complex findings to varied audiences.
• Understanding of the political dynamics of health and/or climate change.
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.

Informal enquiries to Professor Niheer Dasandi, email: n.dasandi@bham.ac.uk 

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

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