Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

The Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI), with the Institute for Technology and Humanity (ITH) at the University of Cambridge, is seeking a full-time Research Assistant for 12 months in the first instance to support the CAPAIBLE laboratory - Cognition and Predictability in AI Behaviour: Laboratory for Evaluation. The Research Assistant will join the Kinds of Intelligence team at CFI, a multidisciplinary team comprising expertise in Computer Science, AI, Cognitive Science and related fields.

The Department

CFI is a highly interdisciplinary research centre addressing the challenges and opportunities posted by artificial intelligence, in both the short and long term. CFI is based at the University of Cambridge, with partners in Imperial College London, and UC Berkeley, and close links with industry and policymakers. More information is available at: https://www.lcfi.ac.uk/

The Role

The Research Assistant's main duty will be supporting the day-to-day activities of CAPAIBLE, playing a key role in keeping the laboratory running smoothly and helping the research team focus on its core scientific work. Responsibilities span research coordination, stakeholder engagement, internal communication, and public-facing activities. Strong organisational and interpersonal skills are essential, as the role involves working closely with a diverse, interdisciplinary team and a range of external collaborators and partners.

Applicants should have, or be close to obtaining, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline. We are looking for someone who is proactive, and comfortable working across a broad range of tasks - from coordinating meetings and managing communications to supporting grant reporting and public engagement. Experience in a research environment is desirable, as is familiarity with AI or cognitive science. All applicants should be able to demonstrate strong motivation in line with the goals of CFI.

Further Information

Please see the Further Particulars document for more information. In order for your application of be considered, please upload the following:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), which should include the names of two referees.
• A covering letter of no more than 500 words explaining your interest in the position and outlining how you meet the criteria set out in the person specification within the Further Particulars. In the covering letter, you can optionally include a link to a coding project you carried out, and you believe demonstrates your programming ability.

If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

The closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) on Sunday 1 November 2026. Interviews are planned for mid-November, subject to change.

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

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Jose Hernandez-Orallo at jh2135@cam.ac.uk. For questions on the application process, please contact the School's HR Team on sahhr@admin.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference GO51405 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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