Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for a full time post doctoral researcher to work on an international collaboration to develop AI-based solutions for research on archival materials as part of the Humanities and AI Virtual Institute (HAVI), funded by the Schmidt Sciences Foundation. The research assistant will work with Dr Sebastian Ahnert's Structural Complexity research group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and in close collaboration with teams at Stanford University and the Politecnico di Milano.

This position is being hired for a project working at the interface of AI, knowledge graphs, computer vision, and the digital humanities. The goal is to develop an innovative AI architecture that is flexible and extensible enough to serve as a knowledge representation framework for the humanities. The current working prototype for this unique design avoids the pitfalls of traditional knowledge graph architecture, is transparent and interpretable, allows queries of high complexity, and has the ability to perform reasoning and generate novel insights from the represented data.

Candidates should be proficient in Python, and ideally have some expertise in one or more of the following areas: digital humanities, knowledge graphs, ontologies, graph databases, network analysis, natural language processing, computer vision. They should also have a PhD in one of the following areas: Digital Humanities, Computer Science, Physical Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or a closely related discipline.

Key responsibilities

• Implementation of a new knowledge graph architecture in the form of Python libraries, building on existing prototypes.
• Construction of a computer vision pipeline to aid knowledge graph construction.
• Implementation of a prototype interface, developed with the design team, for the interactive exploration of manuscript images and metadata.
• Iterative development of the AI architecture that is responsive to the requirements of the diverse range of humanities case studies led by faculty at Stanford University as part of the team.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

The interviews for the post will most likely be heled at the end of January 2026.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mrs Lizzy Cowan, HR Administrative Assistant, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Applications closing date 18th of January 2026.

Please quote reference NQ48310 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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