At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team to analyse language and behaviours of far-right groups using innovative methodologies.
- Company: Lancaster University, a top-ranked research institution in a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Enjoy beautiful surroundings and excellent transport links in the North West of England.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on society by studying critical issues in linguistics and social science.
- Qualifications: PhD in computational linguistics or related field; data science and NLP experience required.
The predicted salary is between 39906 - 46049 £ per year.
Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £39,906 to £46,049 (Full-Time/Indefinite with End Date)
Closing Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026
Reference: 0334-26
We are looking to appoint a highly motivated and resilient individual, with excellent communication skills, the capacity to work collaboratively as part of a team and the ability to solve problems creatively to join us as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) within the group of Dr Isobelle Clarke in the ESRC Centre for Corpus Approaches to Social Science in Linguistics and English Language. This position is funded by the UKRI Future Leader’s Fellowship scheme.
The successful applicant will join a team of researchers based in Lancaster University working on the project "A Multi-Dimensional Understanding of the Digital Far Right".
The Project Has Three Core Aims:
- To systematically identify how the language and behaviours of far right groups vary (what linguistic features and repertoires they share and how the most high risk content compares).
- To develop an innovative methodology to allow for (1).
- To provide training of (1) and (2) to law enforcement.
You should hold a PhD in computational linguistics or a relevant field (or have submitted with a scheduled viva date). You should also have a background in data science, especially natural language processing, expertise in how to scrape data from the web, and a critical, academic interest in studying the far right. Some background with machine learning, automatic feature recognition, multivariate statistical techniques, sparse data, and zero-inflation methods would be an advantage.
This is a fixed term position at 1.0 FTE for a period of 48 months. Lancaster University is highly ranked and research-led and situated near the historic city of Lancaster. The North West of England offers high standards of living, beautiful countryside, including the Lake District, and excellent national and international transport connectivity.
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Isobelle Clarke, Lecturer in Security and Protection Science; UKRI Future Leaders Fellow i.clarke@lancaster.ac.uk
The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.
Senior Research Associate – Computational Linguist - 0334-26 employer: Lancaster University
Lancaster University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the field of computational linguistics. With a strong commitment to employee growth and diversity, the university provides ample opportunities for professional development while being situated in a picturesque location that boasts high living standards and easy access to stunning natural landscapes. Join us in making a meaningful impact through research that addresses pressing societal issues.
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