Research Fellow in AI 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 advanced analytics (including federation and AI) meets cybersecurity. We will creating tools for assessing and managing the vulnerability of research outputs produced from sensitive data to subsequent attacks that might disclose individuals’ confidential data.

Your role will include:

• deriving machine-actionable meta-data schema for describing and reasoning about privacy risks, risk appetites, and mitigation strategies associated with different types of (federated) analytics and AI models;
• investigating how these can be implemented to support auditable ‘point of query’ risk assessments across different data sets, with potentially different risk appetites. The aim is to assist both researchers and ‘output checkers’ produce better, safer, faster and FAIR research outputs  
• incorporating these to deliver step-changes in scalability and applicability of the SACRO framework and embedding within the wider TREvolution project deliverables.

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 advanced analytics.

About you

We’re looking for committed researchers with the ambition to deliver research that matters. You will be passionate about AI and data science, 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 or Data Science with an understanding how meta-data can enable FAIR science.

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 2027, 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 may be able to 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.

You may also wish to 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.