Postdoctoral Research Associate, Criminology

City St George’s, University of London is the University of business, practice and the professions and brings together the expertise and excellence of City, University of London and St George’s, University of London into one institution. The combined university is now one of the largest higher education destinations for London students, combining a breadth of disciplines across health, business, policy, law, creativity, communications, science and technology.

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The Department of Sociology and Criminology, within the School of Policy and Global Affairs, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the project When Victims Ask AI: A Feasibility Study Evaluating Chatbot Safety for Coercive Control and Non-Physical Domestic Abuse. Led by the Centre for Online-Safety, Safeguarding, Privacy and Identity (COSPI), the project brings together expertise from computer science, criminology, clinical practice and specialist Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) organisations.

The research will evaluate how widely used AI chatbots respond to scenarios involving coercive control, emotional and psychological abuse, economic abuse and technology-facilitated abuse, generating evidence to inform policy, practice and the responsible development of AI systems.

The successful candidate will play a key role in this interdisciplinary research project, contributing to the analysis and interpretation of findings and ensuring the work remains informed by victim-survivor experiences and safeguarding considerations. Working closely with partner organisations, practitioners and policymakers, they will support the production of reports, publications and presentations, contribute to project delivery and milestones, and uphold the highest standards of research ethics, confidentiality, information security and data governance.

Applicants should hold, or be nearing completion of, a PhD in Criminology, Sociology, Victimology or a related discipline. They will have expertise in Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), particularly domestic abuse, coercive control and technology-facilitated victimisation. Knowledge of digital technologies, online platforms and AI in VAWG contexts is essential. Candidates should have experience in qualitative and/or mixed-methods research, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and a commitment to ethical, trauma-informed and impactful research.

For more information refer to the job description.

City St George’s offers a sector-leading salary, pension scheme and benefits including a comprehensive package of staff training and development.

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We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background. City St George’s operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.