Research Fellow (111504-0426)

About The Role

Informal Queries

For informal queries, please contact Professor Thomas Hills at T.T.Hills@warwick.ac.uk.

Flexible Working

We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.

Project Title

“KnoWare: Assessing Risks and Emergent Capabilities in General-Purpose AI”

What scientific question will you investigate?

Outline of project aims: Recent advances in foundation models (e.g. large language models and multimodal AI systems) have led to rapidly evolving capabilities, often exhibiting emergent behaviours that are difficult to predict, interpret, and control. Current evaluation approaches largely focus on observable performance, leaving significant gaps in understanding how capabilities arise and how they relate to systemic risks. This project investigates a central research challenge: how can we proactively identify, test, and evaluate emergent capabilities and risks in General-Purpose AI (GPAI) systems before they fully manifest?

The University of Warwick’s contribution to the KnoWare project focuses on developing adversarial prompting, robustness testing, and evaluation methodologies to probe AI systems for emergent capacities, which may be either positive or negative. The goal is to create systematic approaches for identifying emergent behaviors that are not revealed by established benchmarks, but may be revealed through principled prompt design informed by behavioural science and decision making research.

To Address This, The Research Will

• Design and implement adversarial and stress-testing protocols for foundation models
• Analyse model behaviour across diverse inputs and contexts, including edge cases and high-risk scenarios
• Contribute to the development of capability–risk assessment frameworks and benchmarking methodologies
• Support the integration of technical evaluation methods with broader interdisciplinary approaches, including regulatory and societal considerations

The outcomes will contribute to a new generation of proactive, interpretable, and policy-relevant AI evaluation tools, aligned with emerging frameworks such as the EU AI Act.

The post allows for hybrid working.

Keywords: AI safety, foundation models, adversarial prompting, benchmarking, robustness, trustworthy AI, evaluation, machine learning.

About You

We are looking for a candidate with expertise in human-AI interaction and AI model evaluation. Experience working with foundation models (e.g. large language models) and their evaluation, testing, or analysis is highly desirable.

The Successful Candidate Should Have

• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python) and experience with modern AI systems
• Experience in designing and analysing experiments or evaluation pipelines for AI systems
• Knowledge of model robustness, bias, interpretability, or AI safety methods
• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills
• An interest in responsible and trustworthy AI, including fairness, transparency, and regulatory alignment, is essential.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum). Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

About The Department

About the Research Group

The Research Fellow will join an interdisciplinary team led by Professor Thomas Hills at the University of Warwick, working at the intersection of AI safety and the cognitive and behavioural sciences. The Warwick team contributes to the broader KnoWare consortium by developing methods to evaluate and stress-test AI systems in realistic and high-stakes scenarios using prompts informed by behavioural science.

The role involves close collaboration with international partners across academia, industry, and policy, including experts in AI engineering, law, and social sciences. The project emphasizes human-centred, trustworthy AI, combining technical innovation with real-world applicability. The major outcomes will include high-impact publications, open-source evaluation tools, and contributions to European AI governance and benchmarking frameworks.

We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development, including attendance at leading international conferences.

About The University

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK. Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026 Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

CLOSING DEADLINE: Monday 4 May 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click APPLY below and submit your application by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and cover letter. Within these documents, please:

• Outline your employment and education history (including your most recent employment).
• Outline the reasons for your interest in this position.
• Demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role with clear reference to each of the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description (PDF attached below).

Interview Date: May 2026

Start Date: 01 June 2026

Applications must be submitted by the closing deadline. Only applications submitted through our Careers Portal will be considered. You are welcome to include any careers breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave). Please note that if you do not evidence the essential criteria, the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application.

For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.

What we Offer

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.

For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick. Find out more about our awards and accreditations. We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice. The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults). All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description JD - Research Fellow (111504).pdf – 105KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.