University of Southampton
Senior Research Fellow in Responsible AI Translation
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Senior Research Fellow in Responsible AI Translation
Senior Research Fellow in Responsible AI Translation
Section: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Location: Highfield Campus
- Salary: £36,636 to £44,746 per annum
- Duration: Full-Time, Fixed-Term until 31/03/2028
- Closing Date: Thursday 16 July 2026
- Interview Date: To be confirmed
- Reference: 3447026A3
Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position with Responsible AI UK (RAi UK), based at the University of Southampton. The post is full-time for 20 months, with potential for extension. The post holder will not need to be based at Southampton but must be able to meet with the team in person once a week.
You will join Responsible AI UK, a £31 million UKRI-funded national programme spanning 28 UK universities and over 150 partner organisations, including academia, industry, government, and civil society. RAi UK is one of the largest responsible AI research programmes in the UK, operating at the intersection of interdisciplinary research, policy, and practice. You will work closely with the CEO, Professor Sarvapali (Gopal) Ramchurn, and the RAi UK leadership team.
About the Role
This role provides an opportunity for an experienced postdoctoral researcher to contribute to a key responsible AI programme in the UK. The successful candidate will:
- Translate technical outputs from across the RAi UK portfolio and the wider responsible AI landscape into evidence-based policy advice for:
- Government
- Industry
- The public
The research focus areas include:
- Agentic AI systems and their governance
- Physical AI and integration with real-world systems
- Measurement and evaluation of agentic AI performance
- Implications for government, industry, and the wider public
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Key Responsibilities
- Design and convene stakeholder roundtables, workshops, and events with senior figures in:
- UK government
- Regulatory bodies
- Industry
- Civil society
- International partners
- Synthesise findings into white papers, policy briefings, consultation responses, and other advocacy materials
- Represent RAi UK at national and international policy forums -Ensure accessibility of findings to unequal audiences.
The post may require travel within the UK and internationally.
Person Specification & Requirements
To excel in this role, you will have:
Essential Criteria:
-
A PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in one of the following, or equivalent discipline:
- Computer science
- AI / Machine learning
- Data science
- Science and Technology Studies (STS)
- Law (AI-related domains preferred)
- Public policy, ethics, sociology, or political science (specifically related to AI).
-
Demonstrable experience translating technical research into policy-relevant outputs, including:
- White papers
- Briefings / position papers
- Consultation responses / evidence submissions.
-
A strong understanding of current debates in AI governance, assurance, evaluation, agentic AI, and/or physical AI.
-
Hands-on experience with convening stakeholder discussions (roundtables/events) in domains like:
- Government
- Industry
- Civil society
-
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including an ability to simplify complex concepts for **diverse audiences, including policymakers.
-
Willingness and freedom to travel within the UK and abroad to represent RAi UK.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience collaborating with policy teams or ethics committees within or outside academia.
- Knowledge of responsible AI-related regulations, standards, or frameworks, e.g., LEAP-PE, AI Act (EU), or UK AI safety regulations.
- Management of funded research projects, or coordination of teams across departments/organisations.
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Objectives & Exposure
This role offers: ✔ Opportunity for visible thought leadership in responsible AI governance. ✔ Direct engagement with senior policymakers and stakeholders. ✔ A chance to influence national and international conversations on AI ethics and regulations.
Application Details
Applications for the position are also considered from candidates who are working towards or near completion of a relevant PhD. Before award of a PhD, the title Senior Research Assistant will apply.
For further insights, visit www.rai.ac.uk
Visa Note
This role does not qualify for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship. Further help finding UK visa pathways may be found at gov.uk.
Inclusion Initiatives
We uphold equality, diversity, and inclusion and affirm our dedication to neuphobia in policy-making. This role contributes to fostering broader outreach in responsible AI discourse.
Notably, the University also:
- Endorses The Technician Commitment and partners with the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC).
- Promotes career growth, professional certification, and networking opportunities across technical staff, complementing research and enterprise activities.
Closing Application Date: 16 July 2026, 11:59pm (UK time) For questions or further assistance, contact: Recruitment: +44(0)2380592750 / recruitment@soton.ac.uk (Quote: Job reference 3447026A3)
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