Postdoctoral Research Fellow

This is an excellent opportunity for two early career post-doctoral researchers join an exciting interdisciplinary research project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): Infra-Legalities: Global Security Infrastructures, Artificial Intelligence and International Law. This project is investigating how AI and automated decision making (ADM) processes are reshaping global security law and governance, with an empirical focus on three areas: (i) digital bordering infrastructures, (ii) platform governance of terrorist and violent extremist content online, and (iii) counterterrorism watchlisting systems. These posts are part of a Future Leaders Fellowship project led by Dr. Gavin Sullivan (University of Edinburgh). The project involves academic collaborators from law, computer science, critical security studies, global governance and legal anthropology and numerous policy partners from AI and global security-related areas. 

You will play a leading role developing critical, interdisciplinary research for this project at Edinburgh Law School, focusing on at least one of the empirical areas outlined above. Whilst a background in law is desirable, it is not essential. Researchers from other social science disciplines – including Science and Technology Studies (STS), Critical Data Studies, Politics/IR, and Critical Security Studies etc. are also encouraged to apply. A commitment to data and social justice, and advancing the rights of individuals and marginalised groups, is important as is experience in socio-legal or empirical social science research. In this role you will be supported to deliver an ambitious and impactful research agenda and develop a strong research profile, placing you in a strong position to take the next important step in your academic career.  

Edinburgh Law School strives to be a diverse and inclusive research community. Candidates likely to be underrepresented at the University of Edinburgh – including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and first-gen applicants and/or those from working class backgrounds – are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Both posts are full-time (35 hours per week), two-years fixed term posts based at The University of Edinburgh, School of Law. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working that combine a mix of remote and regular on-campus working. It is envisaged that these roles will involve empirical research and the use of qualitative research methods within and outside the UK. Commencement date is flexible, but we are ideally looking for successful applicants to start in, or before, Summer 2025.  The salary for these posts is £40,247 - £42,632 per annum, depending on experience.     

Your skills and attributes for success: 

• A PhD (or near completion) in Law, Security Studies, STS, Critical Data Studies or related discipline and experience in qualitative, socio-legal or empirical social science research.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience of working collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of and interest in the transformative effects of AI and algorithmic security governance and the related questions of social and data justice that these changes provoke.
• Initiative and independence in managing workload, with excellent project management skills.
• A growing track record of producing high-quality and interdisciplinary academic scholarship.

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