AI System Developer - AD2921 at University of St Andrews

University of St Andrews; St Andrews; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

USS Pension (14.5%)

Hybrid working

Staff discount

Free staff parking

Carshare program

Cycle to Work

Bus travel subsidy

Sports membership

Tuition benefits

Training opportunities

Library access

Salary sacrifice

34 Days Annual Leave + 5 PH

Job summary

University of St Andrews is seeking an AI System Developer to adapt the existing SimPatient platform for patient-facing deployment, enabling the FCR4 screening tool and activation of the MiniAFTERc intervention when thresholds are exceeded. The role involves building a robust MVP within an in-house codebase and integrating LLM APIs for conversational interactions.

Applicants should have a good first degree in computer science or related fields and experience with AI chat interfaces; knowledge of

Qualifications

• Good first degree in computer science or a related discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with LLMs or conversational AI APIs and working in an existing codebase.

Responsibilities

• Adapt the SimPatient platform for patient-facing use to administer the FCR4 screening tool and trigger MiniAFTERc intervention.
• Encode the manualised MiniAFTERc intervention as a conversational flow and revise prompts and scripts during fidelity reviews.
• Extend safeguarding features for patient-facing risk, including escalation messaging.
• Configure logging/export of transcripts and scores for pilot analyses; maintain version control, tests and documentation.

Skills

LLM APIs

Conversational AI

Software development

Education

First degree in computer science or related discipline

Tools

Version control

Testing frameworks

Documentation

Job description

AI System Developer

Applications are sought for a committed AI System Developer to work with Dr Andrew O’Malley on a Beatson Cancer Charity funded project entitled MiniAFTERc AI. The project aims to test whether existing genAI tools could be modified for clinical use in a simulated setting; the primary duties will be to adapt an existing in-house platform (SimPatient) into the minimum viable product (MVP) that delivers the intervention.

• Adapt the existing SimPatient platform for patient-facing use, so that it administers the FCR4 screening tool and triggers the scripted MiniAFTERc intervention above threshold.
• Encode the manualised MiniAFTERc intervention as a conversational flow, revising prompts and scripts in response to fidelity review.
• Extend the platform’s safeguarding behaviour for patient-facing risk (e.g. suicidal ideation), including escalation messaging.
• Configure logging and export of transcripts and scores for the pilot analyses, and maintain version control, tests and documentation.

The successful applicant will have a good first degree in computer science, software engineering, data science or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience, and will be comfortable working within an existing codebase and with LLM or conversational‑AI APIs. Experience of digital health, or of safeguarding features in conversational systems, is desirable.

Enquiries should be directed to Dr Andrew O’Malley [e-mail]

St Andrews offers more than just a place to work it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the AI System Developer includes:

• Financial contribution to relocation (subject to eligibility)
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution of 14.5%
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work‑life balance
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including Eurostaffs Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
• 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays.

At St Andrews, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to who we are and form a core pillar of our University Strategy. We are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and supportive workplace, reflected in our participation in national diversity charters and awards, including Athena Swan, Carer Positive and the Race Equality Charter. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and minority religions.

University of St Andrews in St. Andrews, SCT, GB.

Closing Date: Monday 5 October 2026 Interview Date: Monday 12 October 2026 Please quote ref: AD2921LS School of Medicine Salary: £32,080 - £37,694 pro rata, per annum Part Time: 7.25 hours per week Fixed Term: 4 Months Start Date: October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter School/Unit: School of Medicine Closing time: 23:59 (BST)