Research Fellow

About the Role

Candidates who are considering making an application are strongly encouraged to discuss the program in greater detail by contacting:

• Professor Gareth Roberts at Gareth.O.Roberts@warwick.ac.uk
• Paul Jenkins at P.Jenkins@warwick.ac.uk
• Matthew Thorpe at Matthew.Thorpe@warwick.ac.uk

We invite applications for a 26-month Research Fellow to join the Prob_AI Hub (https://www.probai.uk) and based in the Statistics Department of University of Warwick. (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/statistics/).  

The vision of the Prob_AI hub is to develop a world-leading, diverse and UK-wide research pro-gramme in probabilistic AI.  The hub will develop the next generation of mathematically rigorous, scalable and uncertainty-aware AI algorithms.  This will be achieved through: bringing together world-leading researchers across Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Probability and Statistics, who engage with a range of non- academic partners; transforming the people pipeline; and producing a culture change within the mathematical sciences more broadly, so that cross-disciplinary mathematics research in AI is the norm. 

This £8.5M programme is funded by EPSRC and brings together research groups from the Universities of Lancaster, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester and Warwick.  Interaction between the research groups at the six universities will be strongly encouraged and resourced, with broad research projects to involve substantial cross-institutional collaborations.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here).

About You

You should have, or be close to completing, a PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning or a related discipline. 

The Prob_AI Hub’s research programme involves developing mathematical understanding of AI that will lead to more reliable, interpretable and uncertainty aware AI methods. 

We are keen to encourage applications from anyone with the mathematical skills needed to undertake such research.  Experience working in AI, whilst desirable, is not required. 

Relevant mathematical background includes, but is not limited to: Bayesian statistics, computational statistics, inverse problems, numerical analysis, probability, statistical machine learning, stochastic analysis and uncertainty quantification. See  https://www.probai.uk/research-themes/ for further details of the specific mathematical skills required for the position. 

You will have demonstrated the ability to develop either new methodology or new mathematical understanding. 

We are particularly keen to encourage applicants with a strong theoretical background and are looking to put together a team of researchers with broad skills that cover relevant areas of mathematics, statistics, machine learning and AI.

A demonstrable ability to produce academic writing of the highest publishable quality is essential.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

About the Department

This position will be based at the University of Warwick, where the Department of Statistics is one of the largest and most diverse statistics groups in the world. Research in the department spans a broad range of areas in statistics, data science, theoretical and applied probability, finance and interdisciplinary collaboration.  Its teaching programmes attract exceptional students at all levels. It comprises around 800 undergraduate students on degree courses in MORSE, Mathematics and Statistics and Data Science and 150 postgraduate students on the MSc Statistics, MSc Mathematical Finance and PhD degree streams.  Major strategic initiatives include the research centre CRiSM, which acts as a catalyst for research across the breadth of the Department, the Applied Statistics & Risk Unit (AS&RU), which promotes and coordinates external partnerships, and the national Academy for PhD Training in Statistics (APTS).

Warwick is recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research, with collaboration in this area across departments including Statistics, Computer Science and the Warwick Manufacturing Group.

The Department of Statistics is committed to promoting equality and diversity, holding an Athena SWAN Silver award which demonstrates this commitment. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community and will give due consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns, and to those who have taken a career break. Further information about working at the University of Warwick, including information about childcare provision, career development and relocation is at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/workinghere/. 

How to Apply

To apply please complete your essential personal details and attach a CV and cover letter by 11.59pm on the closing date. We will review applications throughout the advertising period and may contact shortlisted candidates before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested applicants to submit their application as early as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.

Please ensure your CV includes your most recent employment experience along with any additional relevant experience and education history.

Your cover letter should detail your motivation for applying for the role as well as detailing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.   

The interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.