Postdoctoral Research Associate
Company
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Posted At
7/29/2025
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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Description
Job Description
Grade UE07: £40,497 to £48,149 per annum.
CAHSS / School of Law
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 6 months (until 4th February 2026)
The Opportunity
The post-holder will be part of an exciting new interdisciplinary research project funded by the AI Security Institute (AISI) called ‘WearAI: Examining the Societal Vulnerabilities Exposed by AI Embedded in Context-Aware Smart Wearables’. The AI Security Institute is a research organisation within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, with a mission to equip governments with a scientific understanding of the risks posed by advanced AI. The WearAI project is investigating the societal vulnerabilities (including to security and privacy) that may be introduced when AI is used to process data from wearable devices such as ‘smart glasses’.
The project involves academics from Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with expertise across computer science, wearable computing, AI and criminology. Our programme of research utilises both experimental and literature-based approaches to explore the implications of connecting wearable computing devices such as smart glasses to artificial intelligence large language models. The exact contribution of the post-holder will depend on their background and expertise but could include undertaking qualitative or quantitative analysis of datasets on wearable camera use; analysing relevant law and policy applicable to wearable cameras and mobile AI; or developing new theoretical approaches to help understand our empirical data.
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a background in criminology, science and technology studies (STS), technology law, or other relevant social scientific discipline, who will bring their expertise to the project. Key responsibilities in the role include contributing domain expertise, contributing to project development and analysis of findings, publishing and disseminating high quality research outputs, and being a core member of the interdisciplinary team. This is a non-technical post, and the post-holder is not expected to have experience in training AI models.
The post-holder line manager is Dr Richard Jones, School of Law, University of Edinburgh, where you will be based. The post-holder will work closely with other investigators on the project, including Dr Mark McGill and Dr Tanaya Guha at the University of Glasgow.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
On this occasion we will not consider applicants requiring visa sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate current right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 19th August 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews are expected to be held in August 2025.
Appointment until 4th February 2026.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
Edinburgh Law School ( http://www.law.ed.ac.uk ) is situated in the historic Old College, at the heart of Edinburgh’s legal centre. For over three hundred years the School has been providing world-leading education and research in the eclectic discipline of law. As one of the eleven constituent Schools of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the School encourages multi- and interdisciplinary connections throughout its teaching and research.
The School values diversity across all staff and students, and supports flexible and family-friendly working. The School provides active support and professional development (including mentoring, training, and networking opportunities) for all staff.
The School is fully committed to promoting equality and diversity, and to welcoming and including all who choose to study, work, or visit us.
https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/about-us/mission-and-values
With over 1400 students and 150 members of academic, research and professional services staff, Edinburgh Law School is an international, vibrant community dedicated to providing research and teaching with local and global reach and impact.
Grade UE07: £40,497 to £48,149 per annum.
CAHSS / School of Law
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 6 months (until 4th February 2026)
The Opportunity
The post-holder will be part of an exciting new interdisciplinary research project funded by the AI Security Institute (AISI) called ‘WearAI: Examining the Societal Vulnerabilities Exposed by AI Embedded in Context-Aware Smart Wearables’. The AI Security Institute is a research organisation within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, with a mission to equip governments with a scientific understanding of the risks posed by advanced AI. The WearAI project is investigating the societal vulnerabilities (including to security and privacy) that may be introduced when AI is used to process data from wearable devices such as ‘smart glasses’.
The project involves academics from Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with expertise across computer science, wearable computing, AI and criminology. Our programme of research utilises both experimental and literature-based approaches to explore the implications of connecting wearable computing devices such as smart glasses to artificial intelligence large language models. The exact contribution of the post-holder will depend on their background and expertise but could include undertaking qualitative or quantitative analysis of datasets on wearable camera use; analysing relevant law and policy applicable to wearable cameras and mobile AI; or developing new theoretical approaches to help understand our empirical data.
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a background in criminology, science and technology studies (STS), technology law, or other relevant social scientific discipline, who will bring their expertise to the project. Key responsibilities in the role include contributing domain expertise, contributing to project development and analysis of findings, publishing and disseminating high quality research outputs, and being a core member of the interdisciplinary team. This is a non-technical post, and the post-holder is not expected to have experience in training AI models.
The post-holder line manager is Dr Richard Jones, School of Law, University of Edinburgh, where you will be based. The post-holder will work closely with other investigators on the project, including Dr Mark McGill and Dr Tanaya Guha at the University of Glasgow.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
- PhD (or near completion) in criminology, STS, technology law or cognate discipline with knowledge of regulatory and socio-technical impacts of emerging smart technologies.
- Good understanding of social or legal implications of technology use, e.g. from prior experience of working on a technology-related project (such as a funded project, a publication, or doctoral research)
- Key skills appropriate to your domain (e.g. theoretical expertise, empirical data collection and analysis, or legal analysis).
- A growing track record in publishing and disseminating research outcomes.
- Initiative and independence in managing research workload, whilst being a core member of a highly collaborative interdisciplinary team.
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
- A sample of your written work such as a journal article
- A competitive salary
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
On this occasion we will not consider applicants requiring visa sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate current right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 19th August 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews are expected to be held in August 2025.
Appointment until 4th February 2026.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
Edinburgh Law School ( http://www.law.ed.ac.uk ) is situated in the historic Old College, at the heart of Edinburgh’s legal centre. For over three hundred years the School has been providing world-leading education and research in the eclectic discipline of law. As one of the eleven constituent Schools of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the School encourages multi- and interdisciplinary connections throughout its teaching and research.
The School values diversity across all staff and students, and supports flexible and family-friendly working. The School provides active support and professional development (including mentoring, training, and networking opportunities) for all staff.
The School is fully committed to promoting equality and diversity, and to welcoming and including all who choose to study, work, or visit us.
https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/about-us/mission-and-values
With over 1400 students and 150 members of academic, research and professional services staff, Edinburgh Law School is an international, vibrant community dedicated to providing research and teaching with local and global reach and impact.
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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