Advert
Research Associate
School of Computer Science & Informatics
College of Physical Sciences and Engineering
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the School of Computer Science and Informatics. You will be joining Cardiff University, one of the UK’s leading research led universities, as a Post Doctoral Research Associate for the Edge AI Hub (https://edgeaihub.co.uk/), which is funded by EPSRC. The Hub is led by Newcastle University and involves 10 other Universities in the UK and over 50 industry and government partners.
The project focuses on carrying out data analysis and using artificial intelligence tools to support cybersecurity threats across a number of application areas, making use of edge computing environments. Cardiff University will be actively involved in the CyberResilience theme, along with a number of other UK partners. The work involves collaboration between Computer Science, Energy Systems (Electric Power Grids) and Traffic Modelling and Analysis.
The successful candidate should have a good understanding of edge computing systems, use of machine learning techniques (e.g. Deep Learning, Transformers) on resource constrained environments at the edge of a communications network. Experience of understanding the cyberthreat landscape in this context will be an advantage. The successful candidate should also be familiar with collaborative software development, e.g. using Google CoLab, Jupyter Notebooks and focus on software development within a research environment.
The successful candidate will be dedicated to finding creative solutions and have a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm to work with a multi-disciplinary research team in computer science, energy systems and electrical/electronic engineering across the UK and US.
This position is full-time (35 hours per week) until 31st of January 2029 and available from July 2025.
Salary: £40,497 per annum (Grade 6), with 4 annual increments up to £45,413 per annum, at the top of the grade.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Professor Omer Rana ( ranaof@cardiff.ac.uk ).
Informal enquiries in relation to the recruitment / application process can be sent to Simon Hogg, HR Administrator – COMSC-HR@Cardiff.ac.uk . For more information about the school please contact Yvonne Taylor ( taylory@cardiff.ac.uk ).
Cardiff University has a successful School of Computer Science & Informatics with an international reputation for its teaching and research activities. We have seen a transformation of our research environment with the School almost doubling in size. We have moved into a new £39 million purpose-built facility shared with the School of Mathematics called Abacws , designed to facilitate interaction between disciplines and give our research groups new freedom to develop research culture and build identity. 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 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) 96% of our submitted research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. 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
Date advert posted: Thursday, 8 May 2025
Closing Date: Thursday, 5 June 2025
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.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
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: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
Job Description
Main function
To conduct research within artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, cybersecurity 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. To conduct research within UK National Edge AI Hub (https://edgeaihub.co.uk/), collaborating with multiple UK Universities and industry/government organisations.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Research
- To conduct research within data science, machine learning/AI and/or cybersecurity, utilising the edge and cloud computing systems (referred to as “edge-cloud continuum” 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
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 the following research fields:
- Data Science and/or Cybersecurity.
- Distributed Computing (Edge and Cloud computing, Internet of Things).
- Experience of developing software to process and manage data.
- Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field.
- Proven ability to publish in international journals / international conferences and/or other research outputs.
- 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
- Relevant professional qualification.
- Evidence of collaborations with industry.
- Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
- Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.
Additional Information
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We want to employ people with a wide variety of experiences. We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We are particularly seeking applications from candidates who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented at the University, including people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
We are looking for a team player who will work with colleagues to provide a great service to staff and students. You don’t need to have worked for a University before; this is an opportunity to show your potential and start or continue your career at Cardiff University.
This role may be an opportunity for you to build on your experience from working in a previous administrative role or environment with particular interest in Postgraduate Taught Programmes, showing your transferable skills and aptitude to be successful in the role. You should be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge and skills to become a valued member of the team.
Your application will be assessed against the following essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please copy and paste this section into a new document and give clear examples of how you can evidence meeting each criteria by writing under each one. You can draw on elements from any aspect of your life (e.g. work, home, education/qualifications or community life) as long as you focus on their relevance to the role.
Please save your supporting statement in a separate document with the title [YOURNAME-BR NUMBER-JOB TITLE] and attach it to your application in the recruitment system.
Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).
Salary Range Min.
40,247
Salary Range Max.
45,163
Job Category
Academic - Research
Grade
Grade 6
