"Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) - in Biometrics and Identity Management"

University of Reading - School of Mathematical Physical & Computational Sciences - Department of Computer Science

Location: Reading

Salary: £36,636 to £44,746 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 14th January 2026

Closes: 14th February 2026

Job Ref: SRF52706

Full time, fixed term contract (ending 31/8/2028)

The closing date for applications is 23.59 14/2/2026

Interview date - week commencing 2nd March 2026

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in R&D in ground-breaking EU border security project.

The Department of Computer Science within the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences (SMPCS) conducts world leading research in priority research areas of Data Science and Computational Science. Within the department, the Computational Vision Group (CVG), led by Prof. Ferryman, addresses the computational issues of perception and reasoning in relation to image interpretation.

Prof. Ferryman is Principal Investigator in the EC project AutoBorder – https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101225829 – funded under the EC Civil security for society workprogramme (border security and external security). A key aim of AutoBorder is to build and deploy advanced identity verification tools for border security involving vehicles on-the-move.

The main role of the PDRA is to undertake research and development in traveller identity management.

Specifically, the main duties and responsibilities:

• Research, develop, implement and evaluate technologies for passenger counting, behaviour analysis, traveller and vehicle risk analysis, and Extended Reality (XR) wearable devices, for vehicles on-the-move.
• Programming in relevant language (e.g. Python) and use of/integration with relevant libraries including APIs to external SDKs/modules
• Write papers for publication in leading academic journals and other relevant media
• Active role in project related activities such as data collection, integration and demonstration/trials and evaluation
• Achievement of project objectives within tight time constraints, delivering software, writing of reports and academic publications and giving presentations of work undertaken within the project
• Interaction with academic and commercial partners, including attendance at European project meetings and participation to teleconferences
• To contribute to teaching and University promotion and recruitment initiatives (e.g. Open Days)

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.