Department of Computer Science

Grade 7: - £35,333 - £42,155 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 24 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 31-Jan-2023, 7:59:00 AM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

Durham University  

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. The Durham Dales, including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to breathtaking scenery and attractions. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University’s Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

The Department

Durham University has made significant investments in the Department of Computer Science. The number of staff has grown from around 20 to 50. We have launched new degree programmes, developed new research areas, and in January 2021 moved into a brand new purpose built building with our colleagues in Mathematics. We are a relatively young and vibrant department – where inclusivity and collegiality is at the heart of what we do. The Department’s research structure consists of five Research Groups:

• Algorithms and Complexity (ACID)
• Artificial Intelligence and Human Systems (AIHS)
• Network Engineering, Science and Theory (NESTiD)
• Scientific Computing (SciComp)
• Vision, Imaging and Visualisation (VIViD).

We are ranked 6th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2023.

For more information, please visit our Department pages at https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/computer-science/.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computer Science with a particular emphasis on algorithmic game theory. The purpose of the role is to contribute to the EPSRC-funded project “KidneyAlgo: New Algorithms for UK and International Kidney Exchange”, working with Professor Daniel Paulusma and other project collaborators, with a focus on researching computational complexity aspects of fairness concepts from Cooperative Game Theory.

The project is a multi-site research project that involves Durham University (EPSRC grant EP/X01357X/1, Principal Investigator: Professor Daniel Paulusma) and the University of Glasgow (EPSRC grant EP/X013618/1, Principal Investigator: Professor David Manlove).

The project provides a synergy between the expertise of Durham in international kidney exchange and that of Glasgow in matching problems and kidney exchange. Project researchers from both sites will act and regularly meet as a collaborative team during the duration of the project.

The successful applicant will be a member of the ACiD group within the Department.

Responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses. 

This post is fixed term for 24 months and will end on 31 March 2025 unless a later start date has been agreed, as the funding from EPSRC is available for a period of 24 months only.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1 April 2023.

How to Apply

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Daniel Paulusma (daniel.paulusma@durham.ac.uk).  All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/. As part of the application process, you should provide details of 3 (preferably academic/research) referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University. 

  What to Submit  

All applicants are asked to submit: 

• A CV and covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;
• A statement as to your aspirations as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in terms of what motivates you, what you would like to achieve and what your broad approaches to research are (maximum 2 pages).

Next Steps  

The assessment for the post will take place remotely, via Zoom. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to give a short presentation on their research followed by an interview on Friday 17 February 2023.

The Requirements  

Essential:

1. Qualifications

• A good first degree or equivalent, in Computer Science or a related subject
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Computer Science or a related subject.

2. Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

3. Skills

• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable:

1. Experience

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.
• A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
• Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
• Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.

2. Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.
• Excellent programming skills.