Research Associate in Safe Large Language Models

Role Description

Department

You will join the Centre for Assuring Autonomy (CfAA), part of the Department of Computer Science at the University of York. The CfAA is building on the work of the Assuring Autonomy International Programme (AAIP) which pioneered approaches to assuring autonomous systems and their machine learning (ML) components. The CfAA also contributes to the assurance pillar of the Institute for Safe Autonomy (ISA). You will be based in the Institute for Safe Autonomy building.

Role

This role will give you the opportunity to help achieve the safe and responsible uptake of AI and specifically Large-Language Models (LLMs) in different application domains. A primary domain is healthcare where you will be working with the team at York, Ufonia and Moorfields Eye Hospital on safety of AI conversational agents in clinical applications.

The role will have a strong research focus but will also offer the opportunity to work with industry and regulators in the UK and perhaps internationally. Further, the CfAA is a multi-disciplinary centre, offering you the opportunity to learn from others working in different disciplines. The role is fixed term until 31 July 2027.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• PhD, or in final stages thereof, in Computer Science, Engineering, AI, Data Science or equivalent experience
• Technical knowledge of AI, in particular applied Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Competency to utilising and evaluating production-ready LLM-based systems
• Ability to learn safety analysis and assurance techniques
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research.
• Ability to work as part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Prof Ibrahim Habli - Ibrahim.habli@york.ac.uk

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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