Job Description

Job Title:

Research Assistant in AI Skills

Posting Start Date:

16/12/2025

Job Id:

2032

School/Department:

Computer Science

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

32,080 - 33,951

Closing Date:

18/01/2026
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

Are you interested in shaping the future of AI education and employment in the UK? We are seeking a Research Assistant to join the Centre for Machine Intelligence to work on a project exploring the changing needs for AI skills in the UK economy, and how we can better train professionals in every sector with the technical and business skills needed to work with AI.


The successful candidate will play a central role in supporting key policy priorities for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the government department responsible for the AI Opportunities Action Plan. This project will investigate the skills associated with AI professionals, including technical and non-technical skills, and how different kinds of education can help prepare people with these skills.



This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of training professionals with the knowledge and skills for the "AI everywhere" economy. In the Centre for Machine Intelligence, you will have the chance to collaborate with and learn from experts across specialty areas around the university and our regional partners, and to strengthen your skills addressing real-world problems related to AI.

Main duties and responsibilities

Conduct a survey of employers across key UK industries to assess professional AI skills in practice Conduct qualitative interviews with industry professionals and skills policy experts to explore training strategies for AI skills. Contribute to reports and publications. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

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 is 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.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Bachelor's or master's degree in human-computer interaction, education, public policy, or other related discipline (or equivalent relevant experience)


Essential


Application


Demonstrated experience with quantitative or qualitative social research, including surveys and interviews.


Essential


Application/interview


Familiarity with data analysis methods, including thematic analysis, and presentation of scientific results.


Essential


Application/interview


Knowledge of training and development for professional workplace skills.


Essential


Application/interview


Good verbal and written communication skills suitable for engaging with diverse audiences.


Essential


Application/interview


Good problem-solving and critical thinking skills.


Essential


Interview


Knowledge of current AI technologies.


Desirable


Application/interview


Prior contributions to published research papers and/or policy reports.


Desirable


Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

Grade 6

Salary

32,080 to 33,951 per annum

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

1st February - 31st July 2026

Line manager

Senior Lecturer and AI for Health Lead (project lead)

Direct reports

N/A

Our website

sheffield.ac.uk/machine-intelligence



For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Denis Newman-Griffis, project lead, at

D.R.Newman-Griffis@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the week commencing 19th January 2026. This will consist of an online interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in the week commencing 5th January 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact COM-Recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.



We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.