Director of the MPhil in NeuroAI and Intelligent Systems (Fixed Term)

We wish to appoint a new Course Director for the MPhil in NeuroAI and Intelligent Systems based within the Department of Psychiatry, but working closely with the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit to develop and direct a new Master's level course in NeuroAI and Intelligent Systems.

We are seeking a skilled scientist who has strong links with the emerging AI industry here in the UK. In particular, we are seeking someone who has worked or is working within a private sector organisation with expertise in artificial intelligence and novel computing systems. Our goal with this new appointment is to build strong bi-directional links between academia and industry, and to enrich both research and teaching here at the University of Cambridge, through internships and stronger collaborations with the technology sector. There is the option for this post to be held part-time alongside an ongoing industry role. Formal job sharing is possible to facilitate this essential requirement.

The post-holder will build, develop and run a new postgraduate course at the University in a new MPhil in NeuroAI and Intelligent Systems that is to be delivered by the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, and we are particularly looking for a candidate who can integrate this new course with relevant industry partners. This is the primary focus for this post. In doing so, this member of staff will help build research capacity across both the Department and Unit. In particular we want to strengthen our expertise in brain-inspired artificial systems, with direct applications to new computing systems. The appointee will demonstrate a high level of competence and an independent standing in research, including success in securing external research funding (including from technology based funders, e.g. ARIA).

In addition, the role holder will have full operational responsibility for research projects and will hold external research grants in their own right. The role holder will initiate, develop and manage an independent scientific programme. They will plan the scientific direction of their research group to address the mission and objectives of the Department and Unit.

The post holder will help to establish and grow this new course, drawing early career researchers into the research community within Cambridge. Experience in postgraduate studies and supervision will be essential.

For the new course to be a success, this new post holder will need to build strong links across the engineering, computing and neuroscience community at Cambridge, as well as building those essential links with industry.

For further details please see the attached further particulars.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Georgie Wilshire (Georgie.Willsher@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk).

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Please quote reference RN48060 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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Key information

• Department/location: Department of Psychiatry
• Salary: £63,606-£67,468
• Reference: RN48060
• Category: Academic
• Date published: 2 December 2025
• Closing date: 4 January 2026