We are looking for up to four academics with expertise in artificial intelligence/machine learning to lead research, teach and help with the running of the department. 

We’re particularly looking for individuals with research interests in a core area of AI such as machine learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing or AI for robotics. 

You will be part of the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning group, within the Department of Computer Science. Your research interests might also engage with the other groups in the Department: Human Computer Interaction, Visual Computing and Mathematical Foundations.

About the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning group

The AI & ML group at the University of Bath has grown significantly over recent years and includes respected academics such as Prof Özgür Şimşek, Prof Nello Cristianini, Prof Mike Tipping and Prof Simon Prince. Alongside these internationally-recognised figures, there are many early career researchers, all contributing to a rich academic environment which offers many opportunities to progress.  

The group focuses on a broad range of research areas that are fundamental in the field of AI & ML. Topics include generative modelling, probabilistic deep learning, language models, reinforcement learning, Bayesian inference, intelligent robotics and neurotechnology. The group also contributes critically to the University's broader activities in Data Science, with the MSc programme developed by the Department of Computer Science being ranked top-10 in the world

We are a highly inclusive and collegiate team, not only within our immediate department but across the campus and beyond. Our numerous collaborations across the Faculties, Centres and Institutes in the University include active projects alongside colleagues in Health, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Life Sciences and Mathematics

The Department of Computer Science also hosts two high-profile Centres in AI: the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Accountable, Responsible and Transparent Artificial Intelligence (ART-AI), which brings together AI challenges across science, engineering, humanities and social sciences, and the Digital Economy Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications (CAMERA), which offers a range of exciting opportunities for AI research.

What you will do as a Lecturer

Research
You will work with colleagues, students and researchers to develop and publish papers. You’ll apply for research funding to support your ideas. You will also find ways of opening up your research to wider society, for example, by working with industry, developing spin outs, collaborating with charities, influencing policy makers, or delivering talks and demonstrations to excite wider audiences.

Teaching
You will design and deliver teaching materials for lectures, tutorials, and labs. You’ll be educating and inspiring some of the brightest students in the country, helping to deliver an engaging experience and a supportive programme.

Helping with the running of the department
You’ll have a few internal roles to help the Department run smoothly. You might help with student placements, ethics processes, admissions, or lead a research team.

The support and growth opportunities we will give you  

Training for an HEA Fellowship qualification
We will enrol you into the Pathway to HEA Fellowship, which will give you the skills and support you need for the teaching aspect of the role. The course lasts three years, after which you will become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Mentoring
All of our staff are allocated a mentor when they join. Your mentor will support you in your day-to-day job, and help you progress. 

Opportunities to progress, manage and lead
We’re a growing team and there are lots of opportunities to grow with us. 

Opportunities to collaborate and build on our networks
We have developed strong networks of partners. You will be able to work with and build on these networks to help with your research and to attract more funding. 

We will offer you support and growth opportunities, including career mentoring, opportunities to progress, manage and lead, access to our network of application partners across a range of sectors including entertainment, sport and healthcare. You will offer us a strong academic record and the ability and enthusiasm to enhance our research environment and outputs, and to create engaging experiences for our excellent students.

The qualifications, experience, and skills that you need for this role

You need to have:

• a strong academic record
• a PhD, or be about to complete one

You might have:

• published papers
• experience in a post-doctoral researcher post  
• experience in tutoring as a PhD student
• experience giving lectures  
• experience leading a team or managing team members

 You need to have shown the initiative and enthusiasm to:

• be a research leader – you’re keen to lead research projects, and you may even have led some already.
• take your research further – you look for ways your research can have impact in the wider world. You might have done some public engagement work, for instance, or your research may have been taken up by another organisation.

Further information

Interviews will be arranged over 17/18 October and 23/24 October.

If you have any questions or you would like to talk informally about the role, please contact Professor Eamonn O’Neill, maseon@bath.ac.uk, Head of Department, or Professor Özgür Şimşek, os435@bath.ac.uk, Deputy Head of Department.

The University of Bath is an equal opportunities employer – we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We’re working to improve the gender balance in the Department of Computer Science, and we particularly welcome applications from women.   

What we can offer you:

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

We aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on our teams. 

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.

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Further details:

• Job Description & Person Specification