Research Fellow: Machine Learning and Cyber Security

About this role

As part of UWE’s Computer Science Research Centre,  you will join a national team delivering “TREvolution”. This ambitiousTransformation Programme project sits at the heart of the UK’s aim to establish a safe and collaborative, AI-enabled network of Trusted Research Environments  where approved researchers can efficiently access and analyse sensitive data to advance research for public benefit.

You will to be part of a team working at the cutting-edge where Trustworthy AI meets cybersecurity. We will be creating tools that let researchers and data owners  assess whether an AI model maintains privacy protection of the data on which it was trained, and decide risk mitigation strategies. Our goal is provide assurance for data owners and the public, so that safe models  can be released to deliver public good.

Your role will include:

• Research to better understand  and communicate models’ vulnerability to different forms of privacy leakage, how this should be measured, and identifying context-relevant privacy-preserving mitigations.
• Working alongside a range of stakeholders to co-design and extend a key-enabler: the SACRO-ML risk-assessment toolkit.
• Helping design supporting materials and training for researchers and ‘Safe Output Checkers’ so they can build appropriate ‘privacy by design’ into their projects.

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with leading academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. With access to state-of-the-art research facilities, you will contribute to high-quality publications, shape national policy discourse, and explore innovative approaches to privacy risk management. This is a rare chance to advance your research career while making a tangible impact on unlocking the potential of data and Trustworthy AI.

About you

We’re looking for committed researchers with the ambition to deliver research that matters. You will be passionate about AI, but respectful of people’s concerns about privacy, and the need to ensure inclusive benefits for all.

You will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in a relevant area of AI and a significant experience with contemporary Machine Learning algorithms and toolkits.

You thrive in collaborative environments and have the communication skills to work with a diverse range of stakeholders. Proficiency in managing research projects is essential, and an understanding of secure data environments would be desirable. Additionally, your ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals and contribute towards securing research funding will distinguish you.

Where is this role based?

This post is based within the School of Computing and Creative Technologiesat our lively Frenchay campus where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in Bristol, one of the UK’s most exciting and forward-thinking cities, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with an established network of employer and academic partners.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity, we’re always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. Our people are our strength, and diversity enhances our creativity and leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. Bring your talent and ambition to our growing community and find yourself in a stimulating and supportive environment where you’ll thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority and female candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area of the organisation, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role please contact Professor Jim Smith on 0117 328 7417 or email: James.Smith@uwe.ac.uk

This is a fixed-term post until 31^st March 2026, and is full-time working on a 1.00 FTE contract.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University and it is vital to our success and the delivery of an outstanding experience for our students that our campuses are dynamic and vibrant places to learn and spend time. This role is therefore campus based for at least 20 percent of your time, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days

Right to Work in the UK

The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. You will therefore be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK, please refer to the Home Office Right to Work Checklist for information on which documents are acceptable.

We cannot endorse international candidates without current right to work in the UK to obtain a Global Talent Visa (Endorsed Funder route) to take up this post as it is not for 2 years or more.

You can explore other visa options which will allow you to work in the UK.

Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

Advice to applicants

We’d love to hear from you - if you are excited about joining us at UWE please complete our application form as soon as possible.

Tell us about how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible.

Once we have completed shortlisting we will let you know the outcome of your application by email, so please check your inbox for updates.