At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a research team to analyse language and behaviours of far-right groups.
- Company: Lancaster University, a top-ranked research institution in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Enjoy beautiful surroundings and a vibrant community in the North West of England.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on society by studying critical issues through innovative research.
- Qualifications: PhD in computational linguistics or related field; data science and NLP skills 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
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.
Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.
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 employer: Lancaster University
Lancaster University is an esteemed research-led institution that offers a supportive and inclusive work environment, ideal for those passionate about advancing knowledge in computational linguistics. With a commitment to employee wellbeing and professional development, staff benefit from a range of generous perks, including family-friendly policies and access to vibrant support networks. Located near the picturesque Lake District, employees enjoy a high quality of life alongside their meaningful contributions to impactful research projects.
