RA/PDRA for Platform Engineering (JustN0W)

The Role and Department

As part of the Computer Science Department, you will work closely with colleagues from the Law School, as well as potentially colleagues from Economics and Biosciences. Your role will contribute to the strategically important research objectives of Durham University’s internationally leading JusTN0W initiative (Just Transitions to a Net Zero World).

The Computer Science Department at Durham is one of the UK’s leading institutions in the field, renowned for its cutting-edge research, excellence in teaching, and strong student employability outcomes.

We invite applications for a Research Associate or Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the JusTN0W Initiative under the supervision of Dr. Nelly Bencomo. We particularly encourage applications from:

• Candidates with a BSc or MSc in a CS discipline who are considering an academic career and have a strong interest in software development.
• PhD holders who have discovered a passion for software development over other aspects of academic research.
• Individuals interested in pursuing a PhD at Durham University.

Flexible working arrangements are available for this position.

Key responsibilities:

Working closely with the Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-Investigators (Co-Is) of JusTN0W, you will contribute to the development of a framework and software prototype for an AI-based compliance control system. This system will apply Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze the compliance of treaties and agreements, including for example bilateral agreements that are particularly relevant for operationalizing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Your role will involve:

• Developing an AI-enabled database that identifies and resolves terminological and conceptual ambiguities.
• Creating a method for assessing both existing and new agreements and treaties, which will form the foundation for best practice guidelines.
• Collaborating with a team of social science researchers to design and implement the AI-based compliance control system.
• Delivering a functional software prototype to be used by JusTN0W stakeholders and collaboration partners.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, law, and sustainability, contributing to innovative research with real-world impact.

This post is fixed term for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension from future funding.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by June 2025.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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