Research Fellow (Technical Delivery)

The University of Salford; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent pension scheme

Flexible working

Job summary

The University of Salford seeks a Research Fellow (Technical Delivery) to build AI systems at the core of the FOUR4ALL Horizon Europe project focused on reducing working time. You will design, implement, and evaluate a bounded conversational AI agent and a retrieval-augmented evidence assistant in Python as part of a multidisciplinary team.

This hands-on role emphasizes selecting models, validating workflows, and delivering reliable AI applications while complying with EU AI Act and GDPR.

Qualifications

• Applied AI/LLM engineering experience with Python.
• Experience delivering AI-assisted research tools and pipelines.
• Familiarity with EU AI Act and GDPR requirements.
• Strong collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver technical AI solutions across the project, including a bounded conversational interview agent and a RAG-based public evidence assistant.
• Design, build, and evaluate reliable, well-tested LLM applications in Python, selecting appropriate models and interfaces.
• Deploy and operate systems on EU-hosted infrastructure with monitoring and compliance.
• Collaborate with researchers, partners, and end users to translate needs into working tools.

Skills

Python

LLM engineering

RAG pipelines

NLP / AI applications

Model evaluation

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Master's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Python

LLM frameworks

Retrieval-augmented generation

Job description

Join the University of Salford as a Research Fellow (Technical Delivery) building the AI systems at the heart of FOUR4ALL, a Horizon Europe research project focused on working time reduction. This is a hands-on applied AI / LLM engineering role: you'll design, build, and evaluate a bounded conversational AI agent and a public retrieval-augmented (RAG) evidence assistant, working in Python as part of a friendly, multidisciplinary research team. We're looking for someone who understands LLM-based systems as systems – selecting the right model for a task, designing the workflow around it, and testing that it works. We welcome strong applicants at all career stages, including recent Master's graduates.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver technical, AI-assisted solutions across the project – principally two core systems (a controlled conversational interview agent and a RAG-based public evidence assistant), alongside wider NLP / AI-assisted analysis of research evidence as the project develops.
• Design, build, and evaluate reliable, well-tested LLM applications in Python, selecting and integrating appropriate models and building clean, accessible interfaces.
• Deploy and operate both systems on EU-hosted infrastructure – with monitoring and ongoing support – within strict ethical and regulatory requirements (EU AI Act, GDPR).
• Work closely with technical and non-technical colleagues – researchers, project partners, and end users – translating research needs into working tools.

About the School

Science, Engineering and Environment is an applied science and engineering faculty creating innovative AI and sustainable technologies collaboratively to deliver meaningful impact with an inclusive and ethical focus. We play a major role in the delivery of the overall teaching, research and innovation activity within the University of Salford. The Faculty has two departments (Computer Science and Engineering; and Built and Natural Environments), supported by knowledgeable professional and technical services teams. Underpinned by thematic research centres and two Innovation Institutes (Energy House and Acoustics), we co-create teaching opportunities with students and apprentices, developing the next generation of engineers and scientists.

As this role is part of the FOUR4ALL project, you will be working closely with colleagues in the Faculty of Social Science, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy, who are leading this project.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary - and excellent pension scheme
• An impressive 32 days leave - plus bank holidays, additional time off at Christmas and the opportunity to buy even more!
• Flexible working - we support a culture of flexible and agile working to help you find the right balance
• Professional development - we offer a comprehensive package of training and development opportunities to help you achieve your full potential
• Our community - there's a real sense of belonging here at Salford. We value diversity, in backgrounds and in experiences. Our difference makes us stronger, and together we share a passion for improving students' lives
• Greater Manchester - live and work in one of the most vibrant regions in the UK, a hot spot of digital innovation, excellent schools and colleges, and with affordable city, suburban and rural living options to suit a wide range of lifestyles
• Our Peel Park campus is unique with lots of green spaces and great transport links including Salford Crescent train station means we're easy to get to
• Team Salford - join us here in Salford and be part of one of the UK's fastest growing universities
• A rewarding career - where everything you do will make a difference. To our students, our local community, and the world around you