Research Associate (Edgy Organism)

We are looking for a Research Associate to join the IOT Garage (https://iotgarage.net/team/) in School of Computer Science and Informatics and will be working with Edgy Organism project team across five universities (York, Cardiff, Manchester, Stirling, and Southampton). At Cardiff, you will be broadly affiliated and collaborate with CardiffIoT Group (www.cardiffiot.org)

Project Description

A cross-disciplinary team of researchers from the Universities of York, Cardiff, Manchester, Stirling, and Southampton are working together on an exciting EPSRC-funded project, Edgy Organism, to develop a novel design methodology, neural network architecture, and efficient neuromorphic hardware system for autonomous monitoring and alerting in uncertain environments. A novel end-to-end neuromorphic design approach based on spiking neural networks (SNNs) will be developed, drawing inspiration from how data is processed and represented in the brain. Low power and small form factor requirements will be met by targeting the cutting-edge Intel Loihi device as target hardware platform.

The project aims to develop novel computing solutions for the defence and security sector, that can autonomously and reliably detect illegal or harmful activities in crowded public spaces, with minimum intrusion of personal space and privacy, over long periods of time.

Edgy Organism is a co-creational project encompassing electronic engineering, neuroscience, and computer science to deliver innovation across disciplines. We are recruiting a team of outstanding postdoctoral researchers across the project partner’s Universities in the areas of Unconventional Edge Computing, AI/ML technologies, Electronic Systems Engineering, and Neuromorphic Systems, to work with us on the leading-edge research needed to achieve the Edgy Organism project’s ambitious objectives.

All staff recruited to this project are required to undergo security checks to be carried out by the National Security Technology Innovation Exchange (NSTIx) before being employed.

In this role, you will:

• To conduct research within EPSRC-funded project, Edgy Organism and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students. 
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

We’d like to hear from you if you:

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level (Received / or submitted and under review) in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or similar technical area or relevant industrial experience
• Excellent knowledge and skills in Artificial Intelligence, Machine/Deep Learning, in the context of Internet of Things and Edge Computing
• Excellent knowledge and engineering skills on using TinyML, microcontroller programming, and programming resource constraint devices (e.g. Raspberry Pi).
• Excellent knowledge in cybersecurity and anomaly detection using sensor modalities (audio, or video, or primitive sensors such as accelerometers)
• Proven ability to publish in national/international journals / national/international conferences and/or other research outputs in subject relevant venues
• Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression. We are a proud Living Wage supporter.

This post located in Cardiff, Wales, UK. Due to involvement with hardware systems, we expect the candidate to come to office 4 days a week.

Please contact Charith Perera (pererac@cardiff.ac.uk) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role, or Charlie Balcombe (balcombec@cardiff.ac.uk) to learn more about the School of Computer Science & Informatics. 

Salary: £39,347 per annum, with 4 annual increments up to £44,263 per annum (Grade 6)

This post is fixed term for a period of 24 months (2 years), full-time 1.0FTE.

Closing Date: Thursday, 3 October 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University