Research Associate

Advert

Research Associate
School of Computer Science & Informatics
College of Physical Sciences an Engineering

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Associate to join the School of Computer Science and Informatics. This post is linked to the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship of Dr Jose Camacho Collados. The fellowship project is titled “Unsupervised background knowledge for language understanding” and you can find more details below.
The project largely deals with language understanding, with a focus on improving Natural Language Processing (NLP) models as to be more interpretable, capture relational and commonsense knowledge, and enhance multilinguality. With these features, NLP can serve as a powerful tool to address important challenges such as tackling disinformation and improving mental health treatments, applications that will be explored as part of this project through the analysis of available information at scale (e.g. social media and clinical records) and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. Note that although these topics are part of the wider UKRI Fellowship project, the selected candidate is not expected to be involved in all collaborations (this will be decided together with the successful candidate according to interest and expertise).

The successful candidate will be integrated in the Cardiff NLP group of Cardiff University (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/explore/research-units/natural-language-processing ). This post also involves an optional research visit (depending on availability and expertise) to one of the international partners of the project in the University of Helsinki (Finland) or the University of Cambridge (UK).

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and is fixed-term for 24 months.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Jose Camacho Collados - [email protected]

Informal enquiries in relation to the recruitment / application process can be sent to Zoe Reynolds, HR Administrator – [email protected] .

Cardiff University has a successful School of Computer Science & Informatics with an international reputation for its teaching and research activities. We are a research-led School with a longstanding, international reputation for applied research activities, and collaborate with more than 100 UK and international academic and industrial partners. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) 99% of our submitted research was rated at least of international standard with 79% classed as "internationally excellent" or "world leading". The School delivers a stimulating portfolio of BSc and MSc degrees and offers research degrees leading to MPhil and PhD qualifications. For more information on the School please visit our website:  http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/computer-science

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment

Salary: £34,304 - £40,927 per annum (Grade 6)

Date advert posted: Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Closing date: Tuesday, 16 November 2021

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting all its employees in achieving the necessary balance between their work and their personal lives. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of support for staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. [Applications for posts on a part-time or job-share arrangement would also be considered].

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Job Description

Main function

To conduct research within the field of natural language processing  and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To conduct research within the field of natural language processing  and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students. 
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally  to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

 Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within one of the following fields:

natural language processing

any other relevant field/s relevant to the project

Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field

Excellent programming skills

Proven ability to publish in relevant top-tier conferences or journals in natural language processing (e.g. Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL*), Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP), etc.) or a related field relevant to the project

Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working

Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other

Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

Experience with implementing neural network models using frameworks such as Tensorflow or PyTorch

Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

 Knowledge of  linear algebra and statistics

Experience with an area related to one of the case studies related to the project (e.g. social media, mental health, misinformation)

Ability to speak and understand languages other than English

Experience with the release of NLP tools, datasets or packages, or experience as web/front-end developer

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 12600BR.

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Job Category

Academic - Research