Location: University of Warwick Campus, Coventry

About the Role

Duration: Fixed-term contract for 2 years.

About the Role  

We invite applications for two 2-year Research Fellows to join the Statistical Safeguarding programme, based at the University of Warwick.

The vision of the programme is to develop world-leading fundamental research in safe and interpretable AI. The programme aims to investigate learning systems that maintain robustness in real-work environments when the data quality is compromised. The program focuses on mathematical understanding of data corruption, theoretical modelling of its impact on learning and the development of mitigation strategies.

This £2M programme is funded by EPSRC and brings together research groups from the Universities of Edinburgh, Oxford and Warwick in the UK, together with Universities of Tokyo and Osaka in Japan. Interactions between the research groups at the universities will be strongly encouraged and resourced, with broad research projects to involve substantial cross-institutional collaborations. This UK-Japan collaborative consortium will provide opportunities for international exposures on workshops, summer schools and supervisory activities.

Candidates who are considering making an application are strongly encouraged to discuss the programme in greater detail by contacting:

• Dr Wenkai Xu at Wenkai.Xu@warwick.ac.uk.
• Professor Yi Yu at Yi.Yu.2@warwick.ac.uk.
• Professor Giovanni Montana at G.Montana@warwick.ac.uk.
• Dr Matthew Thorpe at Matthew.Thorpe@warwick.ac.uk.

About You  

You should have, or be close to completing, a PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning or a related discipline.

The grant’s research programme involves developing mathematical understanding of AI that will lead to more reliable, interpretable and uncertainty-aware AI systems. We are keen to encourage applications from anyone with the mathematical skills needed to undertake such research. Experience working in AI, whilst desirable, is not required. 

Relevant mathematical background includes, but is not limited to: statistical estimation theory, optimal transport, inverse problems, numerical analysis, probability, statistical machine learning, stochastic analysis and uncertainty quantification.

See Statistical Safeguarding | github for mathematical skills required for the position.

You will have demonstrated the ability to develop either new methodology or new mathematical understanding. We are particularly keen to encourage applicants with strong theoretical skills and are looking to put together a team of researchers with broad skills that cover relevant areas of mathematics, statistics, machine learning and AI.  

A demonstrable ability to produce academic writing of the highest publishable quality is essential.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

• If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
• Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

JD - Research Fellow - Statistical Safeguarding x2 (111576, 111577).pdf

CLOSING DEADLINE: Wednesday 27th May 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the 'Apply' button.