Cardiff University is inviting applications for a Research Associate position within the School of Computational & Mathematical Sciences. The successful candidate will join the established Natural Language Processing (NLP) research team and collaborate closely with Cardiff University’s School of Medicine on the innovative SYLFAEN-PSY project.
Position Overview
| Designation | Research Associate |
| Research Area | Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs), Artificial Intelligence & Mental Health Informatics |
| Department / School | School of Computational & Mathematical Sciences (based in the ABACWS building) in collaboration with the School of Medicine |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom (Blended working options available) |
| Contract Type | Full-time, Fixed-term (24 months) |
| Remuneration | £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6, with annual increments) |
| Closing Date | Wednesday, 7 October 2026 |
Job Description
The appointed Research Associate will lead technical investigations under the interdisciplinary SYLFAEN-PSY project. The central objective is to pioneer novel Artificial Intelligence and NLP frameworks to handle extraction, synthesis, and inference within mental health research.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing advanced AI and NLP models, including Large Language Models (LLMs), to assess and evaluate the clinical experiences of individuals experiencing psychosis at scale.
- Collaborating effectively across disciplines, linking computational linguistic approaches with medical and psychiatric insights.
- Publishing research findings in leading computer science, AI, and biomedical informatics venues.
- Participating actively in the research culture of the NLP group and the wider School of Computational & Mathematical Sciences.
Working Arrangement: The position is offered on a blended working model, allowing time to be split between on-campus collaboration at the state-of-the-art ABACWS facility and remote working.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Essential Requirements:
- A postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion/submission) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computational Linguistics, or an aligned subject area (or equivalent industrial research experience).
- Demonstrated expertise and hands-on experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs), and core Machine Learning algorithms.
- Strong programming capabilities and proficiency with modern deep learning and NLP libraries/frameworks.
Desirable Attributes:
- Prior background or demonstrated interest in medical domain text processing, clinical applications, or health data science.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications or clear potential to publish in top-tier conferences and journals.
Informal Enquiries
Prospective applicants are welcome to make informal inquiries prior to submission:
- Academic Enquiries: Jose Camacho Collados (camachocolladosj@cardiff.ac.uk) or Victor Gutierrez Basulto (GutierrezBasultoV@cardiff.ac.uk).
- School-Level Inquiries: Yvonne Taylor (taylory@cardiff.ac.uk).
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply online through the official Cardiff University recruitment system. Ensure you submit an updated curriculum vitae (CV) and a supporting statement outlining your research expertise and suitability for the role.
Note: Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Under university policy, Welsh applications will receive equal and unbiased consideration.
Important Dates & Official Link
Last Date for Apply: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Apply Online at Cardiff University
