At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cutting-edge AI research, teach inspiring students, and contribute to department operations.
- Company: Join the University of Bath's dynamic Computer Science Department with a focus on AI and Machine Learning.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while collaborating with top researchers and industry partners.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field, strong publication record, and proven research leadership skills.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities and a beautiful campus in Bath.
The predicted salary is between 58225 - 73709 £ per year.
The Department of Computer Science wishes to appoint academics to strengthen our rapidly growing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Research Group. We are looking for academics at the Reader level, with expertise in Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning and/or AI Security to lead research, teach and help with the running of the department.
The AI & Machine Learning Research Group at the University of Bath has grown significantly over recent years and includes experienced AI researchers alongside a strong and growing group of early career researchers. This supportive and inclusive environment provides many opportunities to develop and progress. Our Research is organised into four groups: Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, Mathematical Foundations, and Visual Computing. We are a highly collaborative team, working not only with other researchers in our department but across the university and beyond.
The Department of Computer Science hosts the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Accountable, Responsible and Transparent Artificial Intelligence (ART-AI), which brings together AI challenges across science, engineering, humanities and social sciences. You will have opportunities to collaborate with partners such as Google AI, DeepMind, the FCA, ONS, NHS, and universities including São Paulo, Zhejiang and Tsinghua.
Also hosted by the Department of Computer Science is the Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications (CAMERA), offering a range of exciting opportunities for AI research around virtual production, motion capture and volumetric capture. In addition to university and external HPC resources, the department has its own cloud service with over 80 GPUs.
As a department, we will offer you support and growth opportunities, including career mentoring, opportunities to progress, manage, lead and access to our network of application sector partners including entertainment, sport, healthcare and technologies. We will help you to develop collaborations with regional, national and international partners, for example in science, entertainment, sport and healthcare. We will support the deepening of existing academic collaborations and the development of new ones. You will offer us a strong academic record and the ability and enthusiasm to create an engaging experience for our excellent students.
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 UK.
What you will do
- Research: You will work with colleagues, students and researchers to develop and publish papers. You will apply for research funding to support your ideas. You will find ways of making your research available to society, for example, by working with industry, developing spinouts, collaborating with charities, influencing policymakers, or delivering talks and demonstrations to inform and excite wider audiences.
- Teaching: You will design and deliver teaching materials for lectures, tutorials, and labs. You will be educating and inspiring some of the brightest students in the country, delivering an engaging experience and a supportive programme.
- Helping with the running of the department: You will have a few internal roles to help the Department run smoothly. For instance, you might help with student placements, ethics processes, recruitment and admissions or lead a research team.
The support and growth opportunities we will give you
- Training for an HEA fellowship qualification. New Readers will have the option to be enrolled into the Pathway to HEA Fellowship. This course will give you skills and support to help you in the teaching aspects of the role. After completing the course, you will become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
- Mentoring: All of our staff are allocated a mentor when they join. Your mentor will support you in your day-to-day job and help you progress.
- Opportunities to progress, manage and lead: We’re a growing team and there are lots of opportunities to grow with us.
- Opportunities to collaborate and build on our networks: As well as the partners we mentioned above, we have developed strong networks across sectors such as entertainment, sport, healthcare and technology. You will be able to work with and build on these networks to help with your research and to attract more funding.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field and possess an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience. Membership in a professional body and a higher education teaching qualification (e.g., PGCert, FHEA) are required. They should have experience in providing research leadership, a strong record of publications in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, and proven success in securing research funding. The candidate must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the subject area and be up to date with teaching methods and learning technologies. Key skills include academic leadership, research vision articulation, excellent communication, teamwork, and positive relationships with academic, business, and community partners. A commitment to research excellence, ethical conduct, and enhancing student experiences is essential.
If you have any questions or you would like to talk informally about the role, please contact Professor Eamonn O’Neill, Head of Department, or Professor Özgür Şimşek, Deputy Head of Department and Head of the AI and Machine Learning Research Group.
Potential interview Dates: Online discussion on 11th March 2026 and On campus is on 20th and 21st April 2026.
The University of Bath is an equal opportunities employer – we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We’re working to improve the gender balance in the Department of Computer Science, and we particularly welcome applications from women. We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you
We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work.
Closing Date: 16 Feb 2026
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £58,225 to £73,709
Reader In Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and AI Security) (AS13304) - Bath, BA2 7AY employer: University of Bath
Contact Detail:
University of Bath Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Reader In Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and AI Security) (AS13304) - Bath, BA2 7AY
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend conferences, workshops, and meetups related to AI and Machine Learning. It's all about making connections that could lead to job opportunities. Plus, you never know who might be looking for someone with your expertise!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your research! Create a personal website or a portfolio showcasing your publications, projects, and any collaborations you've been involved in. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your impact in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common questions in academia and specific topics in AI. Practice explaining your research in simple terms, as you might need to engage with non-specialists too. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, so make sure you submit it directly. It shows you're serious about joining our team and helps us keep track of your application easily.
We think you need these skills to ace Reader In Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and AI Security) (AS13304) - Bath, BA2 7AY
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your expertise in Machine Learning, NLP, and AI Security. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Show Your Research Passion: We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely excited about research. Share your past projects and any publications that demonstrate your commitment to advancing the field of AI. Let us know how you plan to contribute to our growing research group!
Engage with Teaching Experience: Since teaching is a big part of this role, include any relevant teaching experience you have. We want to see how you can inspire and educate our students, so share your teaching philosophy and methods!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the University of Bath!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and breakthroughs in AI, especially in Machine Learning, NLP, and Reinforcement Learning. Be ready to discuss your research interests and how they align with the department's goals.
✨Show Your Teaching Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your teaching philosophy and methods. Think of examples where you've engaged students or made complex topics accessible. This is your chance to show how you can inspire the next generation of AI researchers.
✨Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working in collaborative environments. Discuss any partnerships you've formed in previous roles, especially with industry or other academic institutions, as this aligns with the department's focus on interdisciplinary research.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the department's research initiatives, funding opportunities, and collaboration prospects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.