Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 105684 - Grade 8

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job description

Position Details

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,735 to £55,755 with potential progression once in post to £62,728

Grade: 8

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2026 with the potential for a 12 month extension

Closing date: 15th May 2025

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join the AI and Digital Health Research & Policy Group, led by Professor Alastair Denniston, Chair in Regulatory Science and Innovation. Our team focuses on the responsible development and regulation of AI in healthcare, ensuring these technologies are safe, effective, and equitable. We work closely with academic, industry, regulators and policy partners to develop best practices that can be applied internationally.

This role offers the opportunity to work on a range of research projects, including:

• Research for national/international regulatory policy in AI, as part of the UoB-hosted national Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation in AI & Digital Health. This involves working with regulators and innovators to build regulatory systems for AI that accelerate innovation whilst ensuring safety and equity.
• Exploring the concept of ‘AI Readiness’ and developing approaches to identify and mitigate ‘unreadiness’, to enable safe deployment of AI health technologies. This includes working with healthcare systems at the local and national level to assess their readiness and prepare for AI adoption.
• Exploring the ‘grey areas’ of AI health technologies, including through evaluating health applications of Large Language Models (Is this a medical device? What is its risk classification? How should it be clinically evaluated?) and the development of a ‘Borderline Manual’ for AI health technologies (with the MHRA).

Knowledge transfer and policy engagement opportunities include being part of the national AI & Digital Regulations Service (led by MHRA, NICE, CQC, and HRA but with support from our team), and to participate on the new UoB-hosted MSc in AI Implementation (Health).

As a Research Fellow, you will play a key role in shaping the research direction of these projects, contributing to funding applications, and engaging with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners.

Role Summary

• Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation
• Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes
• Contribute to the development of research strategies
• Publish results of own research
• Supervise PhD students
• Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University

Main Duties

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques.This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
• Present high quality findings in publications and conference proceedings
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD) or equivalent qualifications
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action

Further particulars can be foundhere

Informal enquiries to ProfessorAlastair Denniston, email: [e-mail]

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website .