Safe AI Foundation Models - Research Associate / Fellow

University of York - Centre for Assuring Autonomy, Computer Science

Location:	York
Salary:	£37,694 to £56,535 Grade 6/7
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On:	8th April 2026
Closes:	5th May 2026
Job Ref:	14918

Role Description

This role will give you the opportunity to help research the safe and responsible deployment of AI Foundation Models in critical applications such as healthcare and transport. You will be part of the Centre for Assuring Autonomy (CfAA) that pioneered approaches to assuring AI and Autonomous Systems (AI/AS).

This role offers the opportunity to both accelerate the adoption of these core ideas and to further advance them. Building on our BIG Argument for AI Safety Cases, you will conduct research to advance the safety of general-purpose AI systems as part of complex systems and sociotechnical contexts. You will also have the opportunity to engage with PhD students from the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe Artificial Intelligence Systems (SAINTS) through joint research projects, training activities and co-supervision.

We are seeking researchers who can demonstrate the capacity to push the boundaries of safety science for the deployment of AI Foundation Models, rather than simply applying existing techniques. Please specify if you wish to apply for this role as a Research Associate or a Research Fellow.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

Grade 6 - Research Associate

• First degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology or cognate discipline
• PhD, or in final stages thereof, in Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology, Safety Science or cognate discipline, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of AI Foundation Models, such as LLMs, LRMs, VLMs and World Models
• High quality publications in safety science and system safety venues
• Ability to research AI Foundation Models for use in safety-critical applications
• Ability to work as part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research
• Collaborative ethos

Grade 7 - Research Fellow

• First degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology or cognate discipline
• PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology, Safety Science or cognate discipline, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of AI Foundation Models, such as LLMs, LRMs, VLMs and World Models
• Ability to research AI Foundation Models for use in safety-critical applications
• Ability to lead and/or take responsibility for a small research project or identified parts of a large project
• Ability to supervise the work of others, for example in research teams or projects
• Ability to work as part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research
• Collaborative ethos

Interview date: w/c 18th May

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Ibrahim Habli