Research Associate in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing

Overview

As a Research Associate in the GATE (General Architecture for Text Engineering) team, you will conduct cutting-edge research in detecting and analysing online misinformation. Your work will advance machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) methods to analyse complex information manipulation, legal responses, and opposition actors across critical domains such as election integrity, public health, and geopolitical conflict. You will also develop an AI-powered chatbot that will support key stakeholders (eg journalists, policymakers) in applying appropriate measures to counter disinformation. You will follow ethical and legal protocols, ensuring that the AI methods are reliable and robust to adversarial attacks.

Additionally, you will lead the write-up and publication of novel research in top-tier journals, present findings at leading international conferences, and collaborate with consortium partners to translate technical discoveries into actionable toolkits. Dedicated funding is provided for conference travel, journal publications, and high-impact stakeholder demonstrations.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Apply natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning techniques to analyse online disinformation, near-real-time social media streams, network actors, and legal/regulatory responses.
• Translate insights into domain logic, training data, and algorithms to develop an AI-powered chatbot, collaborating with researchers from psychology and social sciences.
• Carry out research on large-scale social media streams, identifying community structures, evidence of coordinated behaviour, bot activity, and systemic tactics used to influence policy stakeholders.
• Set project milestones, test methodologies, maintain documentation, and ensure timely delivery of project deliverables.
• Meet regularly with consortium partners, technical teams, and external stakeholders to align research with practical impact.
• Publish novel techniques and findings in top-tier journals and present at relevant academic, industry, and policy conferences.
• Collaborate effectively with researchers, PhD students, and technical staff across the department and partner organisations.
• Deliver and undertake training in interdisciplinary research skills, including but not limited to NLP, machine learning, social media analysis, chatbot and agentic development, and computational social sciences.
• Make ethical decisions in research activities – prioritising human rights, freedom of expression, and ethical AI principles – while embedding sustainability into daily work.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria	Essential or desirable	Stage(s) assessed at
A PhD, or be close to completion, in natural language processing, machine learning, or computational social science (or equivalent experience).	Essential	Application
An excellent track record in machine learning / NLP methods for social media analysis and disinformation analysis, or related topics (for example threat detection).	Essential	Application/interview
Experience in chatbot or AI agent development	Essential	Application/interview
Proficiency in deep learning and NLP frameworks (for example PyTorch, TensorFlow, Transformers, Hugging Face).	Essential	Application/interview
A strong track record of scientific publications.	Essential	Application/interview
Understanding of psychological inoculation principles (for example prebunking, cognitive resilience).	Desirable	Application/interview
Experience in multidisciplinary co-design software development.	Desirable	Application/interview
Experience in using large language models (LLMs) and prompt engineering/tuning for domain-specific applications.	Essential	Application/interview
Ability to collaborate closely with international collaborators to deliver cross-disciplinary research and publications.	Essential	Application/interview
Creative problem-solving abilities and a strong capacity to manage project milestones, technical documentation, and tight deliverables.	Essential	Application/interview

Further Information

Grade	Grade 7
Salary	£38,784 - £47,389, with potential to progress to £51,753 through sustained exceptional contribution
Work arrangement	Full-time
Duration	18 months
Line manager	Senior Lecturer in Natural Language Processing (project lead)
Direct reports	None
Right to work in the UK	If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Carol Scarton, project lead, at C.Scarton@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the interviews will take place in the week commencing 28th September. During the interview, you will be expected to give a short presentation and answer technical and non-technical questions about your previous work and experience. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the interview stage in the week commencing 21st September. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact COM-Recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: .

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave, including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development with access to learning and mentoring schemes, integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.