Research Associate

Vacancy terms: Full-time or job share, fixed term contract to 30 September 2026

Hours per week: 37.5

About the role

The University of Leicester is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences on the MRC-funded SLAIDER-QA project, “Advancing AI-based digital twins for respiratory emergency care.” This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge AI research with real-world clinical applications. The project focuses on refining and evaluating advanced AI models using multi-hospital data to enhance emergency care outcomes for patients with respiratory conditions. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the NHS East Midlands Secure Data Environment and the Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, a £26.1 million NIHR-funded initiative pioneering research into chronic illnesses, especially those related to respiratory health.

You will work within an interdisciplinary environment, co-ordinating management of complex clinical data, developing and optimising AI modelling techniques, and contributing to high-quality publications and future funding proposals. You will also be expected to actively engage in the academic community, attend national and international conferences, and support collaborative efforts across departments and external partners.

About you

You will hold a PhD or equivalent in a relevant field and bring substantial experience in developing complex AI or machine learning models, particularly using Python and associated libraries such as PyTorch, TensorFlow and Scikit-learn. Demonstrated expertise in version control systems like GitHub or GitLab, as well as the ability to manage large-scale computing resources and real-world clinical datasets, is essential. Your analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and willingness to collaborate across disciplines will be key to your success in this role.

The ideal candidate will be proactive, capable of leading aspects of the research while contributing to a collegial project team. Familiarity with healthcare data or policy, and a desire to make a real impact through applied AI research, will be advantageous.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Robert Free on 0116 252 5918 or rob.free@leicester.ac.uk

We anticipate that interviews will take place in the week commencing 11 August 2025.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

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