Research Fellow in Data Stories

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to work on Data Stories (http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/projects?ref=EP%2FP025676%2F1), an EPSRC project involving industrial partners across the UK, which runs from October 2017 until September 2020. 

Data Stories will look at novel frameworks and technologies for bringing data to people through art, games, and storytelling. It will examine the impact that varying levels of localisation, topicalisation, participation, and shareability have on the engagement of the general public with factual evidence substantiated by different forms of digital content derived and repurposed from a variety of sources. It will deliver the tools and guidance that community and civic groups need to achieve broader participation and support for their initiatives at local and national level, and empower artists, designers, statisticians, analysts, and journalists to communicate with data in inspiring, informative ways.

Your main roles will involve developing frameworks, algorithms and software that improve people’s experience and engagement with data, working with colleagues and industry partners, carrying out research in these (and related) areas, and publish and presenting this research in top-rated conferences and journals.

You should have a PhD* in Computer Science, Web Science, Data Science or a related field, or equivalent work experience. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is essential to the post: human data interaction, datadiscovery and summarization, and data visualisation. In addition, the ideal candidate would bring in knowledge and a deep understanding of at least one of the following topics: game design/gamification; data science (in particular, machine learning, information extraction, natural language processing). The position requires excellent coding skills, but also an appreciation of user-centric design, both in software and in data artifacts.   

The candidate must have outstanding time management, organisation, and collaboration skills. The post includes joint work with industry partners and meetings with the project team (quarterly or similar) in locations across the UK. It also requires fluent English communication skills (oral and written) to engage with different organisations and roles, engage in outreach with the public, produce publications, and present the work in front of different audiences.

It is critical that the application shows clear evidence of both the technical and non-technical aspects relevant to the job.

About the research environment

The post is based in the Web and Internet Science (WAIS) research group (www.wais.ecs.soton.ac.uk), which undertakes interdisciplinary research focusing on the science and technology of the Web and the Internet.  WAIS is one of six research groups within Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton. Ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally and among the UK’s top 20 for research, the University of Southampton has an international reputation for its research, teaching and enterprise activities.

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.

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.

*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.

For further information please contact Professor Elena Simperl tel. +44 23 8059 7692, email: e.simperl@soton.ac.uk.    

Application procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Rosie McPhail (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043. Please quote reference 946917FP on all correspondence.

Please note: The University will be closed from Friday 22 December 2017 to Wednesday 3 January 2018, so we will not be able to assist you with any application queries during this time.

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.