Graduate Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Defence Data Research Centre (DDRC)

This full-time role is available on a fixed term basis from July until 31/03/2025. We welcome applicants who wish to pursue the role through flexible working patterns. The role will be based at Exeter Streatham campus with the opportunity for hybrid working; sometime from campus and some from home.

The roles

The Defence Data Research Centre (DDRC) is recruiting a Graduate Research Associate and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join projects focused on advancing best practices in data-driven decision making within the defence sector.   The Defence Data Research Centre, funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is led by the University of Exeter and supported by the Universities of Liverpool (Dept of Communication & Media) and Surrey (Centre for Cyber Security), the Digital Catapult and the Defence AI Centre . 

The transdisciplinary nature of the DDRC gives it the unique ability to investigate and develop the use of data, data science and AI in the context of UK defence. 

Some areas of the DDRC’s current focus is: synthetic data, data wrangling, logistics, AI in health care, attitudes to data, object recognition and tracking. Our research concentrates on both the technical data challenge, and then how it fits practically and socially within the defence environment. Beyond this, the results are expected to be applicable elsewhere in the wider UK economy.

These roles will focus on the technical machine learning and data science aspects of the research.

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in Computer Science, Mathematics or a related field of study. They will possess sufficient specialist knowledge to develop research programmes and methodologies. They will be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader. Applicants will possess strong computational skills and analytical abilities, and will be able to participate as part of a transdisciplinary team to develop new research ideas.

The successful applicant will be computationally adept with good analytic skills, and will be able to participate as part of a transdisciplinary team in the development of new research ideas. They will be able to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups. 

DDRC have the following security clearance requirements:

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Due to the nature of the Defence Data Research Centre, the following nationalities are excluded from eligibility:

• Belarus
• China (including Tibet, Hong Kong and Macau)
• Iran
• North Korea
• Russia
• British nationals with any dual nationality

Please ensure you read the Job Descriptions and Person Specifications for full details

What we can offer you:

• Freedom (and support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;

• Our Exeter Academic initiative supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a new Fertility Treatment Policy;

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of Devon;
• The opportunity to embed within a team working on real-life, in real-time problems & solutions within the technology and culture surrounding data science and AI.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 and the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities released by Shanghai Rankings). 

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 Research Excellence Framework). We are using the power of our education and research to create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future.  Our shared purpose and vision continually moves us forward to make a difference to our people, our communities, our partners and the world around us.  Read about our world leading research on Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO City of Literature

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

The closing date for applications is 29th June 2023. Interviews are expected to take place on W/C 10TH July 2023.

Further information

You may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Prof Richard Everson: email [email protected] .