Research Associate in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing

Working at Sheffield

Full-time, working at least 60% on-site

Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£): £39,560 - £43,099

Closing date: 08/11/2026

As a Research Associate in the GATE (General Architecture for Text Engineering) team, you will conduct cutting-edge research in detecting and analysing online misinformation. Your work will advance explainable methods from machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to analyse false and misleading narratives spreading over time and online platforms, working in close collaboration with journalists and fact-checkers. You will also evaluate the accuracy of information provided by widely used chatbots (eg ChatGPT) and AI-generated search overviews.

You will follow ethical and legal protocols, ensuring that the AI methods are reliable and robust to adversarial attacks.

• Apply natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning techniques to analyse online disinformation narratives in near-real-time social media streams.
• Evaluate the accuracy of online chatbots and AI-generated search overviews.
• Implement explainable, robust, and scalable narrative analysis tools capable of processing large-scale social media streams.
• Set project milestones, test methodologies, maintain documentation, and ensure timely delivery of project deliverables.
• Meet regularly with consortium partners, technical teams, and external stakeholders to align research with practical impact.
• Publish novel techniques and findings in top-tier journals and present at relevant academic, industry, and policy conferences.
• Collaborate effectively with researchers, PhD students, and technical staff across the department and partner organisations.
• Deliver and undertake training in interdisciplinary research skills, including but not limited to NLP, machine learning, social media analysis, web service development and deployment, and computational social sciences.
• Make ethical decisions in research activities – prioritising human rights, freedom of expression, and ethical AI principles – while embedding sustainability into daily work.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

A PhD, or within one month of completion, in natural language processing, machine learning or computational social science.

Essential

Application

An excellent track record in machine learning / NLP methods for social media, narrative, or disinformation analysis.

Essential

Application/interview

Proficiency in deep learning and NLP frameworks (eg PyTorch, Tensor Flow, Transformers, Hugging Face).

Essential

Application/interview

A strong track record of scientific publications.

Essential

Application/interview

Understanding of principles for evaluating the accuracy of widely used chatbots (eg ChatGPT) and AI-generated search overviews

Desirable

Application/interview

Experience in explainable NLP/ML methods.

Essential

Application/interview

Experience in using large language models (LLMs) and prompt engineering/tuning for domain-specific applications.

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to collaborate closely with international collaborators to deliver cross-disciplinary research and publications.

Essential

Application/i…