Job Description:

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position with Responsible AI UK (RAi UK), based at the University of Southampton. The post is full-time for 20 months, with potential for extension. The post holder will not be required to be based at Southampton but must be able to meet in person with the team once a week.

You will join Responsible AI UK, a £31 million UKRI-funded national programme spanning 28 UK universities and over 150 partner organisations across academia, industry, government and civil society. RAi UK is one of the largest responsible AI research programmes in the UK, working at the interface of interdisciplinary research, policy and practice. You will work alongside the CEO, Professor Sarvapali (Gopal) Ramchurn, and the RAi UK leadership team.

About the role

This is an opportunity for an experienced postdoctoral researcher to work at the heart of one of the UK’s largest responsible AI programmes. The post holder will translate technical outputs from across the RAi UK portfolio and the wider Responsible AI landscape into clear, evidence-based policy advice for government, industry and the public. The research will focus on:

• Agentic AI systems and their governance

• Physical AI and its integration with real-world systems

• Measurement and evaluation of agentic AI performance

• The implications of these technologies for government, industry and the wider public

The post holder will design and convene roundtables, workshops and events with senior stakeholders across UK government, regulators, industry, civil society and international partners. They will synthesise findings into white papers, policy briefings and consultation responses, and will represent RAi UK at national and international policy fora. The role may require travel across the UK and internationally.

To be successful you will have:

• A PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in a discipline relevant to responsible AI, including computer science, AI, data science, science and technology studies, law, public policy, ethics, sociology, or political science

• Demonstrable experience translating technical research into policy-relevant outputs such as white papers, briefings, consultation responses or evidence submissions

• A strong understanding of contemporary debates in AI governance, evaluation, assurance, agentic AI and/or physical AI

• Experience designing and convening events or roundtables with senior stakeholders from government, industry and/or civil society

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences

• Willingness and ability to travel across the UK and internationally to represent RAi UK

This post offers significant exposure to senior policymakers, opportunities for visible thought leadership, and the chance to shape national and international conversations on the responsible governance of agentic and physical AI.

Applications for the position will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the PhD qualification being awarded, the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

For further information about Responsible AI UK, please visit: https://rai.ac.uk

Closing Date: 16 Jul 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £36,636 to £44,746 Per annum
Full Time Fixed Term until 31/03/2028