Research Fellow in Artificial Intelligence and IoT

Agents, Interactions & Complexity

Location: Highfield Campus

Salary:  £29,301 to £30,175 per annum

Full Time Fixed Term until 31.03.19

Closing Date:  Saturday 20 May 2017

Reference: 863417FP

We welcome applications for a postdoctoral Research Fellow working on reasoning about norm/policy compliance in complex socio-technical systems in the ASSET (Augmented Safety through Smart EnvironmenTs) research project. The post will be in the Agents, Interaction and Complexity group, which is part of the department of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton.

You will work in the context of a research partnership between the University of Southampton and Ozyegin University, Istanbul, funded jointly by the UK and Turkish governments. The ideal person we are looking for is someone who will conduct leading research into automated reasoning under uncertainty and develop effective collaborations across country and discipline (computer science and electronics) boundaries.

The overall research project focuses on an important socio-technical challenge: how can advanced computational methods and low-cost sensor systems be employed to support regulators and employers in increasing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulation compliance? The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimate that millions of workers die every year because of occupational accidents and work-related illnesses (ILO, 2014), and more than 96% of these fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries. The great majority of accidents are preventable through adherence with existing international OHS standards. These regulations have not, however, always been implemented or sustained. We will explore the use of low-cost devices in conjunction with automated reasoning models to understand how workplaces can be effectively instrumented. Such systems may collect information about the environment and activities through various sensors, reason about compliance with OHS regulations, and support coordination of responses to emergencies to mitigate damaging effects. We will explore how automated monitoring of this kind can operate hand-in-hand with existing inspection regimes to more efficiently utilize scarce expert resources and enhance trust in compliance assessments.

The appointment will be until 31st March 2019 with a possibility of an extension beyond 1st April 2019 being approved by the British Council. We would like the right candidate to start as soon as possible.

About ECS: The department of Electronics and Computer Science is the leading university department of its kind in the UK, with an international reputation for world-leading research across computer science, electronics, and electrical engineering. Research takes place in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment and draws on our outstanding facilities. With over 550 researchers from many different subject backgrounds, the research culture in ECS is fast-changing and dynamic. Our internationally renowned teaching and research have been ranked among the highest in the UK.

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, ECS was first in the UK for the volume and quality of research in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.  The volume and quality of ECS Computer Science research is in the top 10 in the UK, with 100% of Computer Science research impact rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

At the University of Southampton, we value diversity and equality. Electronics and Computer Science holds an Athena Swan Bronze Award, demonstrating their commitment to provide equal opportunities and to advance the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.  Due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. University of Southampton holds an Athena Swan Silver Award.

The University has a generous maternity policy and onsite childcare facilities; employees are able to participate in the childcare vouchers scheme.  Other benefits include state-of-the-art on-campus sports, arts and culture facilities, a full programme of events and a range of staff discounts.

This post is suitable for a candidate with a PhD* or equivalent in artificial intelligence, machine learning or a closely related subject. You will have a strong track record in publishing your research at top-quality journals and/or conferences.

For informal enquiries before submitting your application, contact Prof Timothy Norman (t.j.norman@soton.ac.uk).

Please include a covering letter and full CV in your application. You will also need to specify at least two references on the application form. 

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given. 

Application Procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The vacancy will close at midnight on the closing date as shown above

References are requested along with your application. This reference system is automated so please ensure you provide the correct email address and allow time for these to be received, prior to the close date, to assist the department with shortlisting.

If you need any assistance, please call Suzanne Stone (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043. Please quote reference 863417FP  on all correspondence.