At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead groundbreaking research on the safety of Large Language Models in critical domains.
- Company: Join a world-leading research-intensive university with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible working, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on AI safety standards and influence global practices.
- Qualifications: PhD-qualified researcher with expertise in LLMs and safety alignment.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with mentorship opportunities and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Role
As an Assistant Professor (Research) in our Safe Autonomy Research Group, you’ll lead groundbreaking research on the safety of Large Language Models (LLMs) in safety critical domains like autonomous transport—land, air, and marine. You’ll work at the heart of real-world impact by influencing international safety standards, policy, and industrial practices through projects such as Horizon Europe-funded CERTAIN, AIGGREGATE and EEA4CCAM.
You’ll collaborate with global academic and industry partners to tackle frontier challenges, from fine-tuning LLMs for safety-critical applications to developing novel methods for AI alignment, agentic architectures, and multimodal grounding. With minimal teaching responsibilities and a strong research focus, you’ll dedicate your energy to securing grants, publishing transformative studies, and building tools that ensure generative AI acts reliably in the real world. Mentorship opportunities and our established ecosystem provide career growth, while our partnerships with Innovate UK, Horizon Europe, and leading industrial players offer extensive resources.
About You
You are a PhD-qualified researcher pioneering safe AI deployment, with deep expertise in Large Language Models (LLMs), agentic architectures, and multimodal systems. Your background includes hands-on work in LLM fine-tuning, safety alignment, and RAG frameworks for high-stakes domains like autonomous transport. You have a track record of high-impact publications and can translate complex research for academic, industry, and policy audiences. You are motivated to embed ethical governance into real-world AI systems and thrive in collaborative environments, driving safety research from concept to standards-influencing solutions. You are excited to shape the future of responsible AI in autonomous systems (land/air/marine).
About The Department
The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is the largest department at the University of Warwick, with over 800 staff and nearly 3,000 students across management, technology, and applied engineering. We are globally recognised for world-class research, innovative industry partnerships, teaching excellence, and holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Institutional Silver Award. Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre, the Energy Innovation Centre, and our range of undergraduate and apprenticeship degrees.
About The University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us on our website.
How to Apply
CLOSING DEADLINE: Tuesday 30th September 2025 at 23:55. To apply, please click \”Apply\” below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.
Your CV should include:
- Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
- Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).
Your Cover Letter should explain:
- Your motivations for applying to the role.
- Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).
All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.
Interview Date: To be confirmed. Start Date: As soon as possible.
Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline – you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.
What we Offer
We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:
- An attractive pension scheme.
- 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
- Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
- Onsite childcare facilities.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here. We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick and our awards and accreditations. We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.
Safeguarding & DBS
The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level, and the University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake work with the barred group. All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.
- Disclosures at application stage are visible only to the DBS team, not to hiring panels.
- The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.
Right to Work in the UK: If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please refer to the information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.
Job Details
- Seniority level: Entry level
- Employment type: Contract
- Job function: Education and Training
- Industries: Higher Education
Right to work information and additional notes are provided as part of the application process.
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at University of Warwick by 2x
Langley, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Coventry, England, United Kingdom 4 weeks ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 3 months ago
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Assistant Professor – Safe Large Language Models (110571-0925) employer: University of Warwick
Contact Detail:
University of Warwick Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Professor – Safe Large Language Models (110571-0925)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees or alumni from your university who work at Warwick. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their recent projects, especially those related to safety in LLMs. Show them you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your research and how it aligns with their goals. Keep it clear and engaging—think of it as telling a story that highlights your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and show your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Professor – Safe Large Language Models (110571-0925)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to explain why you're excited about the role and how your experience aligns with the job description. Use specific examples to show how you meet both the essential and desirable criteria.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant education, employment history, and any other experiences that relate directly to the Assistant Professor role. This will help us see how you fit into our team.
Follow the Application Instructions: Make sure you follow all the application instructions carefully. Submit your application through our official careers portal before the deadline. We won’t be able to consider late applications, so don’t leave it to the last minute!
Show Your Passion for Safe AI: We want to see your enthusiasm for safe AI deployment! In your application, express your passion for the field and how you envision contributing to our research on Large Language Models. Let your excitement come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Warwick
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your previous work and how it relates to safe Large Language Models (LLMs). Be prepared to explain your methodologies, findings, and their implications for safety in autonomous systems. This shows your depth of knowledge and passion for the field.
✨Align with Their Goals
Familiarise yourself with the specific projects mentioned in the job description, like CERTAIN and AIGGREGATE. Think about how your expertise can contribute to these initiatives and be ready to share your ideas on advancing their research agenda during the interview.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their current research challenges, collaboration opportunities, and how they envision the future of AI safety. This demonstrates your genuine interest and helps you assess if the role is the right fit for you.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working with global partners, highlight your experience in collaborative projects. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams, tackled complex problems, and contributed to impactful outcomes. This will resonate well with their emphasis on teamwork.