Senior Research Associate - Project Cumulus

Alan Turing Institute; London; On-site; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research institute in London is seeking a Senior Research Associate to lead the development of AI-driven forecasting models for sub-seasonal predictions in West Africa. Responsibilities include technical project management, software development, and stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates should have a PhD, experience in machine learning, and proficiency in Python. This full-time position offers a salary of £56,840 with excellent benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working

Family friendly policies

Employee benefits guide

Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant area.
• Experience in machine learning software development.
• Experience writing code in Python or Pytorch.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of AI models for sub-seasonal forecasting.
• Provide technical project management and leadership.
• Define research direction in collaboration with Principal Investigators.

Skills

Machine learning

AI

Python

Pytorch

Deep learning

Education

PhD in relevant area

Job description

Company Description

Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

Please find more information about us here.

Position

The Environment and Sustainability Grand Challenge's End-to-end environmental forecasting team, led by Prof Richard Turner, is spearheading the development of AI weather forecasting systems, that learn to produce predictions from raw observational data (for more information see here). Compared to conventional forecasting approaches, the new systems can leverage a far greater breadth of environmental information, are computationally inexpensive, and they are easy to customise. These new systems are supported by novel machine learning innovations which support forecasts at different temporal scales, globally and regionally. The goal of the team is to generate impact in a range of areas in both the UK and with international partners in the Global South which often lacks comprehensive forecasting infrastructure.

PROJECT CUMULUS

Cumulus is a collaborative initiative to develop AI-powered weather forecasting systems tailored for farming communities in West Africa, particularly in Ghana and Senegal. The project responds to the region's vulnerability to climate change and limited forecasting infrastructure by co-developing locally owned, cost-effective AI tools for sub-seasonal weather prediction. Led by the Alan Turing Institute, University of Leeds, and African partners (UCAD, KNUST, ANACIM, GMet), the project will build real, operational forecasting systems that integrate remote sensing and local data. These systems will support key agricultural decisions-such as when to plant or harvest-and foster local capacity through training and job creation. Two technical work packages focus on AI downscaling and end-to-end observationally driven forecasting. Cumulus also lays the groundwork for a second phase aimed at scaling across Africa and building long-term sustainability through local ownership, open infrastructure, and engagement with wider international efforts.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Senior Research Associate will lead the development of observationally driven AI models for sub-seasonal forecasting in West Africa. They will design and implement core components of the modular AI forecasting system-including data encoders, processors, and task-specific decoders-integrating remote sensing and numerical weather prediction inputs to generate agriculturally relevant predictions. In addition, they will support the development of AI-2 based downscaling and post-processing methods. The SRAs will work closely with Leeds and African partners facilitating in-country implementation.

This role will be part of the Environment & Sustainability Grand Challenge, and you will be reporting to the Research Lead for the project and work closely with other Senior Research Associates and Postdoctoral Research Associates within the same area.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Provide technical project management and leadership for research projects, ensuring successful outcomes
• Liaise with clients and colleagues to understand and prioritise project goals, and balance client value with research outputs
• Define the research direction in collaboration with Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Be a point of contact, supporting PIs in engaging with stakeholders regarding projects and deputising in meetings where necessary.
• Lead on the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g., for funding and contractual purposes.
• Play a leading role in undertaking high-quality independent research, actively contributing, and steering to the broader research aims of the Environment & Sustainability Challenge
• Contribute to software development including planning, execution and package release and management
• Travel may be necessary to meet the requirements of the role

Requirements

• A PhD (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications) in a relevant area which will include machine learning, AI, computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering or similar inter-disciplinary subjects
• Experience in machine learning and AI, including experience in machine learning software development
• Experience in training deep learning models relevant for weather forecasting e.g. computer vision, video prediction, sequence modelling, spatio-temporal modelling
• Experience writing code in Python or Pytorch
• Substantial research experience in their field of expertise with commensurate output
• Evidence of high-quality publication(s) in a relevant field commensurate with your career stage

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.

Other information

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3536 or email [email protected].

If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter directly to [email protected] and your application will be considered.

Your supporting statement should focus on the following criteria:

• Experience in machine learning and software development
• Substantial research experience in their field of expertise with commensurate output (including publication list if not detailed in your CV)
• Ability to carry out research independently and take the lead on research direction in collaboration with the PIs
• A statement on how you see machine learning for environmental modelling changing over the next 3 years

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: SUNDAY 07 SEPTEMBER 2025 AT 23:59 (LONDON, UK BST)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed-term basis for 2 years. The project aims to start on 01 October 2025.

The annual salary is £56,840 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute

International travel to areas such as West Africa will be required.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email protected] to find out how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].