Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Role
This is a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position for up to 36-months on the research project “PROCLAIM -- Polarization, Radicalization and extremism Online identifying Covert hate speech in state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence technologies and social Media”, funded by EU Horizon and working with Dr. Arkaitz Zubiaga - https://scholar.google.com/citations?userIUb-xxMAAAAJ&hlen.

The two core aims are to (i) investigate the shortcomings of Large Language Models (LLMs) in identifying and tackling online hate speech, which will involve both data collection and critical evaluation of LLMs dealing with hate speech, and (ii) to develop effective methods to safeguard LLMs from generating hate speech content, studying and furthering state-of-the-art approaches to prevent LLMs from augmenting hate speech content.

While the role is based in a computer science school, the project is a part of a European consortium involving partners from a range of disciplines, and therefore the project offers the ideal environment from an interdisciplinary context and collaborating with colleagues from the social sciences.

About You
We are seeking motivated, creative, and proactive candidates who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Candidates should have a PhD in computer science, AI or a relevant subject area. The ideal candidate will have experience in working with LLMs, and in conducting research in natural language processing and computational social science. Experience of working on hate speech and/or offensive language detection and analysis is highly desirable.

About the School of EECS
As a multidisciplinary School, we are known for our pioneering research and pride ourselves on our international reputation. We are equal first in the UK for the impact of our Computer Science research, and second for our Electronic Engineering research output (REF 2021).

We offer high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds that leads them to achieve great career outcomes. Our Computing courses were recognised by a recent report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies as top in the country for social mobility.

About Queen Mary
At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits
In return, we offer 30 days’ leave per annum, access to a pension scheme, a season ticket loan scheme and competitive salaries. We also offer enhanced family friendly leave, and an on-site nursery at the Mile End campus. You will also work with a friendly team, with personal development opportunities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic groups and women as these groups are underrepresented at this level at Queen Mary.

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