Research Fellow in Science and Technology in Society - College of Engineering and Physical Scie[...]

Position Details

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2029

Closing date: 16th July 2026

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

Background

This exciting new position is for a post-doctoral Research Fellow to work within a multidisciplinary research team on a novel and emergent area of study at the nexus of social science research and technological innovation. The University of Birmingham led Co-Aims is a multi-disciplinary research project focusing on the development and commercialisation in the UK of AI-empowered autonomous machines and systems which are envisioned as transforming manufacturing productivity and sustainability, enabling a net positive future by empowering people. To achieve this, it is vital that we engage with the societal implications and impacts of the deployment of AI in manufacturing, as well as understanding the organisational cultures and needs of workforces across a range of key sectors in the UK.

This post-holder will be working directly with the lead for an embedded programme of impactful social science research (Prof Fern Elsdon-Baker) to develop and undertake relevant strands of cutting‑edge research in relation to issues and questions around the deployment of AI in manufacturing. You will be expected to undertake comprehensive qualitative sociological studies and survey‑based research that engage with a diverse set of stakeholders—including employees, trade unions, employers, and policymakers—in all phases of the innovation process. A component of this role will be to work alongside other team members to assist in creating spaces for co‑creation and collaboration across academic, policy and industry. This research and engagement will provide opportunities for stakeholders to voice hopes, concerns, and expectations thus fostering inclusive and sustainable innovation.

The successful post-holder will have an interest in working in multi‑disciplinary research environments and a demonstrable background/qualifications in a relevant area of social sciences or science and technology studies.

Co-AIMS Research Hub Overview

Co-AIMS is a £13.7 million national research hub funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC). It unites seven universities and High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres with over 50 partners from industry, innovation, and government to position the UK as a world leader in AI‑powered sustainable manufacturing. Combining pioneering research with industry‑led flagships, the hub’s vision is to deliver robust, trustworthy AI systems that boost productivity, resilience, and environmental performance. The hub‑and‑spoke model connects universities as research “spokes” to address real‑world challenges across priority sectors. This is a timely, transformative initiative: leveraging cutting‑edge AI to reduce waste and emissions while empowering workers and businesses to adapt sustainably in the face of global disruptions. Co‑AIMS offers a unique opportunity to drive UK leadership in human‑centred, ethical AI for manufacturing.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin‑out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research‑related activities and research‑related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities as part of project delivery and of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as academic and policy literature reviews, semi‑structured research interviews, focus groups, public perceptions surveys and ethnographic field site visits
• Disseminate research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof for publication, or presentation for example at seminars and conferences
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• A PhD relevant to the research area (or near completion), or equivalent PhD level qualifications.
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Experience of undertaking semi‑structured interviews/focus groups and experience of data analysis using relevant software (e.g. coding in NVivo)
• Desirably experience of, or an interest in, quantitative national level survey based research methods and approaches
• Desirably experience of, or an interest in, ethnographic approaches to field site visits
• Desirably experience of, or an interest in, co‑creation or participatory research methods and approaches
• Desirably experience of, or an interest in, policy and industry engaged social science research
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co‑ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Professor Fern Elsdon-Baker f.m.elsdon-baker@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.