Research Associate 0.4fte

University-of-Liverpool; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Liverpool is seeking a highly motivated researcher/software developer to contribute to a secure, context-sensitive linguistic threat detection and analytics system. The role supports the Improving Safeguarding Methods - enhancing linguistic monitoring methods for safeguarding EdTech, funded under the CyberFocus project.

The candidate will design, develop, test, validate, document, implement and continuously review new tools, collaborating with a non-academic industry partner and

Qualifications

• Strong programming and project management skills.
• Interest in language and linguistic processing.
• Interest in child safeguarding is advantageous.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, development, testing and validation of new linguistic safety tools.
• Documentation, implementation and ongoing review of the tools.

Skills

Programming

Project management

Job description

Hybrid Working: Minimum requirement of 40% on Campus, with 60% considered desirable where possible

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher/software developer to assist in the development of a secure, context-sensitive linguistic threat detection and analytics system. The position will be on the project Improving Safeguarding Methods - enhancing linguistic monitoring methods for safeguarding EdTech, which is funded through the EPSRC-funded CyberFocus project.

The work will involve collaboration with a non-academic industry partner and intends to make significant methodological advancements in filtering and monitoring (as defined in Keeping Children Safe in Education [KCSIE] 2026) by developing novel tools based in (computational) linguistic approaches.

Your work will include the design, development, testing and validation, documentation, implementation, and ongoing review of these new tools. You should therefore have strong programming and project management skills as well as a keen interest in language; an interest in child safeguarding will be advantageous.

Given the project’s focus on research application and impact, strong communication and teamworking skills will be vital.

Informal inquiries can be made with the project lead Mark McGlashan ([e-mail]).

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to enhancing a workforce as diverse as our community and particularly encourage applicants who are of minoritised genders and ethnic backgrounds, living with a disability, and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.