Overview
Research Associate in Machine Learning (SS13519) – Bath, BA2 7AY
About the role
This project will develop new machine learning techniques to enable efficient production of bespoke products, such as medicines in a high-volume, high-variation manufacturing setting. It will focus on the problem of sequential decision making, with an emphasis on approaches that could eventually be deployed into real scenarios to improve industrial processes. Relevant areas of research include reinforcement learning and probabilistic machine learning. This post is funded by EPSRC as part of the project "Transforming the future use of injectable medicines: Increasing capacity in the NHS".
About you
Candidates will be expected to design and develop novel machine learning techniques that are robust and applicable to real industrial scenarios. This project has substantial flexibility in how it can be approached and an ideal candidate would demonstrate creative problem solving and independent working with a proactive approach to research.
The Research Associate will work closely with project investigators Professor Özgür Şimşek and Dr Tom SF Haines. They will be part of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bath, as well as the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Research Group within the Department of Computer Science.
Further information
This post is a full time, fixed term contract for two years, with a potential extension to three years. There is associated funding for conference attendance. The start date is flexible.
For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Özgür Şimşek at os435@bath.ac.uk or Tom Haines at tsfh20@bath.ac.uk.
Please submit a CV and optionally a research statement (up to two pages) and writing samples with your application. Interviews will be conducted in two stages. Following a successful online interview, candidates will be invited to visit the University of Bath campus. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Initial shortlisting will take place on 30 April, with first-round online interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of 11 May.
As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.
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 United Kingdom.
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 equity 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 as well as following us X and LinkedIn.
Closing Date: 30 Apr 2026
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
