At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop AI applications to enhance university services and operations.
- Company: Join the University of Exeter, a top research-intensive institution.
- Benefits: 41 days leave, flexible working, discounts, and on-site gyms.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI in higher education and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and experience with AI tools and development frameworks.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 33482 - 50000 £ per year.
This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus in Exeter and some from home. This new full-time post is available for an immediate start on a 24-month fixed term basis.
Summary of the role
Shape the Future of AI at the University of Exeter. Are you passionate about the transformative power of AI and digital technology? Do you want to help shape the future of higher education, research, and professional services? We’re looking for an Agentic AI Engineer to join our Digital Engineering Team and play a key role in delivering the University of Exeter’s 2030 strategy.
As an Agentic AI Engineer, you will work on the design, development, and optimisation of AI and agentic applications that enhance productivity, streamline services, and enrich education and research. You’ll work collaboratively across education, research, and operations, delivering initiatives aligned with our Enabling AI Strategy and AI Policy.
What You’ll Do
- Work on the development and optimisation of AI applications and agentic tools that enhance university services and operations.
- Embed AI agents into existing platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Moodle) using secure APIs and integrations.
- Collaborate with IT and Digital colleagues, academic leads, service owners, and external partners to create innovative AI solutions.
- Maintain clear documentation for agent design, logic, inputs/outputs, and monitoring processes.
- Support ongoing monitoring of technology performance, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Contribute to technical documentation, risk assessments, and data protection impact assessments.
- Test for performance, inclusivity, accessibility, and compliance, working closely with Security, Information Governance, and HR.
- Communicate the value and impact of complex AI and digital services to senior stakeholders.
- Stay up to date with industry advancements and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree-level education (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field.
- Experience with at least one cross-platform development framework (React Native or Flutter preferred).
- Demonstrable coding and digital development abilities.
- Understanding of prompt engineering, fine-tuning foundation models, and responsible AI principles.
- Experience developing with AI tools such as CoPilot Studio, AWS Bedrock, OpenAI, or similar platforms.
- Experience embedding AI agents into platforms and maintaining technical documentation.
- Good communication skills and the ability to explain complex AI concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Proven ability to work in agile teams and contribute to iterative delivery.
- Commitment to ethical AI use, user empowerment, and community engagement.
- Industry-standard IT certification or professional qualification.
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), DevOps workflows, and accessibility/inclusive design in AI/UX.
- Experience in higher education, academic research, or complex public-sector environments.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.
We offer some fantastic benefits including:
- 41 days leave per year
- Options for flexible working
- Numerous discounts at leading retailers
- Onsite gyms on all of our campuses and a cycle to work scheme
- Sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
- Stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England
Further information
Please contact Lead Developer David Hyde, d.hyde@exeter.ac.uk. This role may be subject to additional screening. The starting salary will be from £33,482 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience. Apply by 08/02/2026. If we receive sufficient applications, we reserve the right to close this position early, so apply today to avoid disappointment.
Agentic AI Engineer in Exeter employer: University of Exeter
Contact Detail:
University of Exeter Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Agentic AI Engineer in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the University of Exeter or in similar roles. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your AI knowledge. Be ready to discuss recent advancements and how they relate to the role. Show us your passion for AI and how it can transform education!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice explaining complex AI concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders, so make sure you can break it down without losing the essence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Agentic AI Engineer in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what the role entails and how your skills align with the requirements. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills: When writing your application, highlight your relevant experience and skills, especially those related to AI and digital technology. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully applied these skills in previous roles. We want to see what you can bring to the table!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and overly complex language; instead, aim for straightforward communication. Remember, we need to understand your qualifications quickly, so make it easy for us to see your strengths!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our official website. This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives you the best chance of being considered. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Exeter
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in AI and digital technology. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools like CoPilot Studio or OpenAI, and how you've applied them in real-world scenarios. This shows you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working with various teams, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Think about specific projects where you worked with IT, academic leads, or external partners, and be ready to explain your role and contributions.
✨Communicate Complex Ideas Simply
You’ll need to explain complex AI concepts to non-technical audiences, so practice simplifying your explanations. Use analogies or relatable examples to demonstrate your understanding and ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Ethical Discussions
Given the emphasis on ethical AI use, be prepared to discuss your views on responsible AI principles. Think about how you would approach inclusivity and accessibility in your work, and be ready to share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to these values.