Postdoctoral Research Associate (Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life) at Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (£41,064 - £48,822 per annum)

Edinburgh Law School, part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work on the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life (LCAL). The post is advertised under job reference 14923 at Grade UE07 and is based at the Law School in Old College, Edinburgh.

LCAL is a new interdisciplinary research hub studying how machine learning and AI algorithms are transforming societies, around one central question: how do we wish to live with and alongside algorithmic technologies? It is led by Prof. Louise Amoore at the Centre’s hub in Durham University, with collaborative partners in York, Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Duke Universities. According to the job description, the Centre is supported by £10 million in funding from the Leverhulme Trust over ten years.

The post-holder will join the “Decisions” cluster, led by Prof. Nehal Bhuta (Professor of Public International Law), who is also the line manager for the role. The cluster examines how algorithmic life is changing the character of decisions through the hybrid knowledges of humans and algorithms, from critical decisions in military and security domains to those in welfare and public administration. Its work will develop algorithmic-life approaches to decision and to ideas of accountable, responsible or ethical decision.

The candidate’s proposed research must address one or more of LCAL’s thematic programmes (generativity; image and language; synthetic worlds; being human) and clusters, as well as the Decisions cluster.

• Planning and carrying out specific elements of the research under general guidance from the PI and/or Co-I, using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods (25%)
• Analysing and interpreting data, and keeping research records and documentation with integrity (25%)
• Presenting findings within and beyond the research group and contributing to publications as first or co-author and to conferences (20%)
• Identifying new research ideas and income streams with the research group, including national and international funding opportunities (15%)
• Keeping up to date with the field, contributing to the wider department, and supervising students and junior staff on the project as required (5% each)
• Contributing to the research environment, administrative work and postgraduate culture of the Law School and LCAL

• A PhD (or a confirmed defence date) in any relevant field, including but not limited to Law, History, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Computer Science, and Science and Technology Studies, or an equivalent professional qualification or experience
• Expertise in research approaches and methods relating to law, algorithmic governance and artificial intelligence
• Demonstrable experience of high-quality research in the area of the project, and of analysing data with qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods in Public International Law and/or any of LCAL’s thematic areas
• Evidence of preparing high-quality summary reports of research methods or findings, and the ability to contribute to knowledge exchange and engagement
• Strong collaborative, interpersonal and communication skills
• Desirable: a good first degree; potential to develop research proposals, supervise students, lead research groups and evidence research impact beyond the institution

• Salary: Grade UE07, £41,064 to £48,822 per annum
• Contract: fixed-term for 3.5 years
• Hours: full-time, 35 hours per week; the University is open to considering flexible working patterns and requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) mixing remote and regular on-campus work
• Benefits listed in the advert include generous annual leave, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives and flexible work options

Before employment begins, the successful candidate must evidence the right to work in the UK. The advert states that the University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role, depending on factors specific to the successful applicant. Applicants from India can apply, but should read the University’s right-to-work guidance and factor sponsorship into their planning.

Apply online through the University of Edinburgh’s recruitment site (job 14923). Upload all documents as PDF files named with your name and the document type:

• A CV
• A covering letter detailing your experience, strengths and potential against the requirements
• A personal research plan (maximum 3 pages A4) showing how your research contributes to the Decisions cluster, and any links to the other clusters (data, publics, forms of life) and/or the four thematic programmes
• Two of your most significant pieces of written work, ideally published or under review; a PhD thesis chapter or conference paper may be submitted instead. Accessible web links are preferred (the panel cannot access paywalled work); otherwise upload PDFs
• Details of 3 academic referees; references are requested only for shortlisted candidates who consent

The closing date is 7 October 2026 at 11:59 pm UK time (which falls in the early hours of 8 October in India; the recruitment site shows the time in your local time zone). Interview dates are to be confirmed.