Researcher in Large Language Models

UAG; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford, Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, invites applications for a fixed-term role within the God and the Machine project. The post holder will support Workstream 1 by conducting experimental work with large language models and other AI tools.

You will hold a PhD/DPhil in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field, with experience deploying local models and using Python and ML frameworks.

Qualifications

• PhD/DPhil in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field.
• Experience deploying and experimenting with local models (interpretability, activation steering, or machine unlearning).
• Proficiency in Python and relevant machine-learning frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Undertake experimental work with large language models and other AI tools.
• Support Workstream 1 and contribute as a technical expert to Workstream 2.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning

Education

PhD/DPhil in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field

Job description

Fixed-term (36 months / 3 years)

The post holder is a member of the research team for the God and the Machine project, with responsibility for the technical aspects of the project’s experimental work with large language models and other AI tools.

About the Role

God and the Machine: Frontier Interactions between AI Science and Theology is a research project in the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford, funded by the John Templeton Foundation. The project develops a theological framework for understanding artificial intelligence as a mediating tool, working across two interrelated workstreams: Workstream 1 (Interpretation), which uses large language models as a computational hermeneutic tool, and Workstream 2 (Influence), which develops a theology of AI’s mediation of human formation. The post holder will primarily support Workstream 1 in its technical aspects, undertaking experimental work with large language models and other AI tools and techniques, and will also contribute to Workstream 2 as a technical expert.

The gross annual salary has been set at Point 31 of the National Pay Spine, as appropriate for the career stage and experience of the post, and increments one scale point each October, in line with University of Oxford policy.

The project runs from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2029; the post is August 2026 2 available for up to 36 months within this period, with the exact start date to be agreed with the successful candidate.

About You

You will hold a PhD/DPhil in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a closely related field, with a keen interest intheological research on artificial intelligence. You will be able to demonstrateexpertise in large language models, including experience deploying and experimenting with local models (for example, interpretability, activation steering, or machine unlearning), as well as be proficiency in Python and relevant machine-learning frameworks.

The closing date for applications is 12.00pm on Wednesday, 21 October.

£39,424 to £41,336 point 1-3: per annum, Grade 7