Research Assistant/Associate in Machine Learning (Fixed Term)

We invite applications for a Research Assistant/Associate position in the Department of Engineering, to work on Probabilistic Machine Learning. The post holder will be located in Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.

We seek to appoint an independent researcher to lead a technical research program for effective Human-AI cooperation. This position will contribute to the research programme "Advancing Modern Data-Driven Robust AI", which is funded by UKRI through a Turing AI World-Leading Fellowship lead by co-investigators Professor Zoubin Ghahramani (Department of Engineering) and Dr Ferenc Huszár (Department of Computer Science and Technology).

The programme's goal is to understand and improve modern machine learning methods primarily by casting them in a probabilistic, information theoretic, causal inference framework. For this position, preference will be given to applicants whose expertise is in technical methods for effective human-AI cooperation, reinforcement learning, or causal inference.

This RA will be based at the Engineering Department and will collaborate closely Dr. Miri Zilka, Professor Zoubin Ghahramani and Dr Ferenc Huszár as well as other members of the Machine Learning Groups at these two departments.

The core responsibilities include planning and conducting research in alignment with the research program, ideally focussing on robustness through human oversight and cooperation. Additional responsibilities include engaging with real-world practitioners, broader stakeholders, interdisciplinary experts and policy makers; presentations and publications; liaising and networking with colleagues and students; planning and organising research resources and workshops.

Successful applicants will have research experience and a strong publication record in related areas. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD in Computer Science, Information Engineering, Statistics or a related area. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Salary Ranges:

Research Assistant: £32,296 - £34,866

Research Associate: £36,924 - £45,163

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months or 30 September 2026 whichever comes soonest.

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

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a 1-page covering letter outlining your relevant past experience, and include the contact details for 2 referees in the Upload section of the online application. Additional documents will not be considered as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Dr Miri Zilka: mz477@cam.ac.uk for queries of a technical nature related to the role or Francesca McCaughan: cbl-enquiries@eng.cam.ac.uk for questions on the application process.

Please quote reference NM44369 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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