PDRA in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing for Materials Scie at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

13 Oct, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Yes

Skills

Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Data Processing, Python, Quantum Chemistry, Research Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Database Building, Interdisciplinary Research, Predictive Modeling, Literature Mining, Teamwork, Communication Skills, Problem Solving, Training Delivery, Student Supervision

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Working at Durham University A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community. Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. Our Purpose and Values We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page The Department The Department of Computer Science at Durham University is one of the UK’s leading centres for computer science education and research, consistently ranked in the national top 10 (Complete University Guide 2025) and 4th for graduate prospects in 2026. We are a fast-growing department, expanding from 30 to 50 academic staff in recent years with plans to grow further, and are based in a new purpose-built facility on the Upper Mountjoy Campus, designed to support collaboration, innovation and interdisciplinary working. Our research has been recognised as internationally excellent and world-leading in REF 2021, and we ranked 3rd in the UK for interdisciplinary science research in the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Rankings 2025. Situated in the historic and vibrant city of Durham, the department offers an ambitious, supportive and forward-looking environment in which colleagues can develop their careers and contribute to shaping the future of computer science. The Role Applications are invited for a Research Associate in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing for Materials Science. The project focuses on building a database and on combining advanced ML and NLP approaches to accelerate discovery in Molecular Solid Solutions (MoSS). Data will be gather collectively during the course of the project. NLP techniques will be used to automatically extract key data points from published papers and reports, building and enriching a comprehensive MoSS database. Machine Learning will then be applied to this database, alongside quantum chemistry methods, to predict MoSS formation, model dopant effects on crystal structures, and identify optimal dopants for tuning host compounds. The project is highly multidisciplinary, linking computational and physical chemistry, physics, and computer science at Durham University and partner institutions. The successful applicant will be expected to design and implement NLP pipelines for literature mining, and to select, adapt, and develop ML models, predictive models in PyTorch, and interpretable methods such as SHAP and causal inference. This dual approach will both expand the data resource and provide powerful predictive insights into structure–property relationships. The PDRA will also produce python code for advanced scientific data processing. This will then be implemented in the data pipelines of the project. The applicant will also serve as data champion to the project. The postholder will be expected to contribute actively to high-quality research outputs, including publications, software tools, and follow-on grant proposals. Key responsibilities: To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications. To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences. To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder. To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals. To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder. To work with the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio. To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions. To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration. To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects. To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate. To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students. To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline. To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses. This post is fixed-term for 24 months from January 2026 due to time-limited funding for the role. The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by January 2026. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups. If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application. The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. Contact Information Department contact for academic-related enquiries Dr Noura Al Moubayed (noura.al-moubayed@durham.ac.uk) Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays). How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What to Submit All applicants are asked to submit: a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below. Next Steps Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post is expected to be by interview, and we anticipate that these will take place in mid-November 2025. In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas. Person Specification Essential Criteria: Qualifications A good first degree in Computer Science A PhD (or be close to submission) in NLP or a related subject. Experience Experience in conducting high quality academic research. Experience working with data and building a database. Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals. Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national and international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community. Experience in Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning. Skills Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Desirable Criteria Experience Interest in and knowledge of Chemistry. Experience in working with chemical and physical data. Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career. A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career. Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics. Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals. Experience in developing machine learning and NLP solutions within an industrial setting. Skills 17. Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research. 18. Demonstrable ability to work in teams and inspire others.

Responsibilities

The postholder will design and implement NLP pipelines for literature mining and develop ML models for predicting material properties. They will also contribute to high-quality research outputs and assist in the development of research objectives and proposals.