Research Associate/Senior Research Associate (5 Posts)

We invite applications for Post-Doctoral Research Associate positions to join the Prob_AI Hub. The vision of the Prob_AI hub is to develop a world-leading, diverse and UK-wide research pro-gramme in probabilistic AI. The hub will develop the next generation of mathematically-rigorous, scalable and uncertainty-aware AI algorithms. This will be achieved through: bringing together world-leading researchers across Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Probability and Statistics, who engage with a range of non- academic partners; transforming the people pipeline; and producing a culture change within the mathematical sciences more broadly, so that cross-disciplinary mathematics research in AI is the norm. 

This £8.5M programme is funded by EPSRC and brings together research groups from the Universities of Lancaster, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester and Warwick. There is a 3 year position available at each of these six institutions. (This advert relates to five of these positions, with a separate recruitment process for the PDRA position at the University of Cambridge.) Interaction between the research groups at the six universities will be strongly encouraged and resourced, with broad research projects to involve substantial cross-institutional collaborations.

You should have, or be close to completing, a PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning or a related discipline. The Prob_AI Hub’s research programme involves developing mathematical understanding of AI that will lead to more reliable, interpretable and uncertainty aware AI methods. We are keen to encourage applications from anyone with the mathematical skills needed to undertake such research. Experience working in AI, whilst desirable, is not required. Relevant mathematical background includes, but is not limited to: Bayesian statistics, computational statistics, inverse problems, numerical analysis, probability, statistical machine learning, stochastic analysis and uncertainty quantification. See https://www.probai.uk/pdra-positions for further details of the specific mathematical skills required for each position. You will have demonstrated the ability to develop either new methodology or new mathematical understanding. We are particularly keen to encourage applicants with strong computational skills, and are looking to put together a team of researchers with broad skills that cover relevant areas of mathematics, statistics, machine learning and AI. A demonstrable ability to produce academic writing of the highest publishable quality is essential. 

The application process for these five positions is being administered by Lancaster University. You need only apply once regardless of whether they want to be considered for just one to all five of the positions. For details of the different research themes being led from each university see https://www.probai.uk/pdra-positions. Applicants can be considered for as many of the positions as they wish, and we encourage applications to multiple positions: Please ensure you state clearly which position or positions you wish to be considered for when applying, and explain how your research background is relevant for the specific positions and research themes you are interested in.

These are full-time positions, though we will consider applicants requesting part-time or other flexible working arrangements. We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

Candidates who are considering making an application are strongly encouraged to contact Paul Fearnhead (p.fearnhead@lancaster.ac.uk), Anthony Lee (anthony.lee@bristol.ac.uk), Catherine Powell (Catherine.Powell@manchester.ac.uk), Gareth Roberts (Gareth.O.Roberts@warwick.ac.uk), or Aretha Teckentrup (A.Teckentrup@ed.ac.uk) to discuss the programme in greater detail. 

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Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

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