Research Associate/Fellow in Neuroethics, Policy and Governance (Fixed term)

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nottingham invites applications for a Research Associate/Fellow in Neuroethics, Policy, and Governance. The role leads qualitative and implementation research within the ELEVATE NeuroAI project, contributing to governance and ethics across an international consortium.

The post is based in the School of Computer Science at Jubilee Campus in Nottingham, with travel to partner sites and extended research visits. The appointment starts January 2027 for one year, with possible extension.

Qualifications

• Postdoctoral researcher with strong methodological background in qualitative and implementation research.
• Experience or strong interest in policy, governance and neuroethics related to neuro-AI.
• Ability to liaise with international partners and work across organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead qualitative and implementation research within the ELEVATE NeuroAI project.
• Contribute to governance, ethics, stakeholder engagement and real-world evaluation.
• Collaborate with an international consortium and travel for in-person events.
• Mentor junior members of the Brain Data Group.

Skills

Qualitative research

Implementation research

Policy and governance

Neuroethics

Education

PhD in computer science or related area

Job description

Salary £32,080 to £47,389 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £35608 with relevant PhD).

Area Computer Science

Location Jubilee Campus

Closing Date Thursday 26 November 2026

Reference SCI670626

Research Associate/Fellow in Neuroethics, Policy, and Governance (fixed term)

We are seeking an ambitious and methodologically strong postdoctoral researcher to lead qualitative and implementation research as part of the €4.4M European ELEVATE NeuroAI project, working within the University of Nottingham (UoN) and Brain Data Group (BDG) in Human-Computer Interaction / Computer Science.

The post will focus on understanding best practices for studying emerging AI-enabled neural engineering technologies, and how they can be responsibly translated from research into real-world organisational settings. The successful candidate will work across an international consortium, contributing to research spanning institutional governance, ethics, implementation, stakeholder engagement and real-world evaluation.

This is an opportunity to develop a distinctive research profile at the intersection of neurotechnology, responsible AI, digital health, implementation science, HCI and qualitative research, while contributing directly to practical frameworks and recommendations for the adoption and governance of emerging technologies.

Please note that the post holder will be expected to liaise directly with our partners in several European countries including regular in-person international events and meetings requiring travel, and extended research visits.

The role holder will work with and under the mentorship of Dr Max L. Wilson. Apart from contributing to existing research projects, they will also be expected to advance their own independent research career. They will have the opportunity to guide and mentor more junior members of the Brain Data Group.

Candidates are expected to have a good background in policy, governance, and neuroethics as related to neuro-AI technologies. They should hold a PhD or be close to completing a PhD in computer science, human-computer interaction, or a related area with a topic close to neuro-AI, such as Brain-Computer Interfaces. Expertise can be evidenced through publications (including preprints), talks, projects, work openly accessible in git repositories, or in any other way.

The post will be available from January 2027 and is initially for one year, with the possibility of extending. Hours of work are full time (36.25 hours per week). The position is based in the School of Computer Science on our Jubilee Campus in Nottingham.

Further details:

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award.

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Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.