Research Associate in Machine Learning

This project will develop new machine learning techniques to enable efficient production of bespoke products, such as medicines in a high-volume, high-variation manufacturing setting. It will focus on the problem of sequential decision making, with an emphasis on approaches that could eventually be deployed into real scenarios to improve industrial processes. Relevant areas of research include reinforcement learning and probabilistic machine learning. This post is funded by EPSRC as part of the project "Transforming the future use of injectable medicines: Increasing capacity in the NHS". 

Candidates will be expected to design and develop novel machine learning techniques that are robust and applicable to real industrial scenarios. This project has substantial flexibility in how it can be approached and an ideal candidate would demonstrate creative problem solving and independent working with a proactive approach to research.

The Research Associate will work closely with project investigators Professor Özgür Şimşek and Dr Tom SF Haines. They will be part of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bath, as well as the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Research Group within the Department of Computer Science. 

This post is a full time, fixed term contract for two years, with a potential extension to three years. There is associated funding for conference attendance. The start date is flexible. 

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Özgür Şimşek at os435@bath.ac.uk or Tom Haines at tsfh20@bath.ac.uk.

Please submit a CV and optionally a research statement (up to two pages) and writing samples with your application. Interviews will be conducted in two stages. Following a successful online interview, candidates will be invited to visit the University of Bath campus. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Initial shortlisting will take place on 30 April, with first-round online interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of 11 May.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded. 

The University of Bath is based on an attractive, single-site campus that facilitates interdisciplinary research. It is located on the edge of the World Heritage City of Bath and offers the lifestyle advantages of working and living in one of the most beautiful areas in the United Kingdom.

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Terms and Conditions of Employment

Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.