"Professor in Machine Learning and AI"

The School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering is seeking to recruit a Professor in Machine Learning and AI with a focus on Large Machine Learning Models to expand our dynamic team of internationally recognised AI researchers. This is part of a strategic investment of 6 posts across the School in AI, Cyber Security and Satellite Communications, which also incorporates a Lectureship to support this position.

The School is home to two established research centres with expertise in AI and Machine Learning: the Computer Science Research Centre (CSRC) and the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP). This post is aligned to the Nature Inspired Computer and Engineering group within Computer Science.

Surrey has an established international reputation in AI research, 1st in the UK for computer vision and top 5 for AI, computer vision, machine learning, robotics and natural language processing (CSRankings.org) and were 7th in the UK for REF2021 outputs in Computer Science research. Computer Science and CVSSP are at the core of the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI (PAI), established in 2021 as a pan-University initiative which brings together leading AI research with discipline expertise across health, social, behavioural and engineering sciences, business, law and the creative arts to shape future AI for the benefit of people and society. PAI leads a portfolio of over £100m in grant awards including major research activities in creative industries and healthcare, and two doctoral training programmes with funding for over 100 PhD researchers: the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion and the Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Training Network in AI-Enabled Digital Accessibility.

The candidate should have wide knowledge of the AI field and ideally experience of working with industry. The candidate must have a proven record of internationally recognised research contributions and leading significant research programmes in AI and Machine Learning. Current research in AI within the School focuses on solving foundational and real-world problems in areas such as Natural Language Processing, Optimisation, Audio and Vision, AI for Health and Medical Applications, Robotics, and Security.

AI features in both our UG and MSc curricula as well as training within the CDTs. The candidate would be expected to contribute to these as well as undertake other teaching duties in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the School.

As a senior leader, the postholder is expected to have experience of inclusive leadership and to be able to demonstrate an ability to grow and support research teams to deliver at their best. They will be expected to champion the development of strategic partnerships and contribute at a senior level to service within the University. The position provides an opportunity to drive a strategic research direction within PAI and to align colleagues within CSRC.

In conjunction with the postholder, the School will also appoint a Lecturer to support their research direction and strategy.

The postholder will benefit from the support of colleagues within the School and across the University to develop their careers. The University’s welcoming community recognises the need to nurture its staff and to help them build a flourishing career. They will become a core member of the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI supporting the growth of collaborative cross-disciplinary research and training as Surrey delivers its future vision.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

In addition to salary, we offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days holiday plus seven university closure days and eight bank holidays (pro rata for part time roles), a generous pension, access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes, and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

Surrey has launched its Vision 2041 strategy that produces graduates and research outcomes that enrich lives, transform society and create change for a better world.