Job Specifications
RA/PDRA for Platform Engineering (JustN0W) (
Job Number:
25000444)
Department of Computer Science
Grade 6/7: - £30,805 - £45,413 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 12 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Working Arrangements: We are, in principle, open to both full-time (35 hours per week) and part-time working arrangements, depending on the candidate’s skills, experience, and personal circumstances.
Closing Date
: 26-May-2025, 10:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community. Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
Our Purpose and Values
We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
The Role and Department
As part of the Computer Science Department, you will work closely with colleagues from the Law School, as well as potentially colleagues from Economics and Biosciences. Your role will contribute to the strategically important research objectives of Durham University’s internationally leading JusTN0W initiative (Just Transitions to a Net Zero World).
The Computer Science Department at Durham is one of the UK’s leading institutions in the field, renowned for its cutting-edge research, excellence in teaching, and strong student employability outcomes.
We Invite Applications For a Research Associate Or Postdoctoral Research Associate To Join The JusTN0W Initiative Under The Supervision Of Dr. Nelly Bencomo. We Particularly Encourage Applications From:
Candidates with a BSc or MSc in a CS discipline who are considering an academic career and have a strong interest in software development.
PhD holders who have discovered a passion for software development over other aspects of academic research.
Individuals interested in pursuing a PhD at Durham University. Flexible working arrangements are available for this position.
Key Responsibilities:
Working closely with the Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-Investigators (Co-Is) of JusTN0W, you will contribute to the development of a framework and software prototype for an AI-based compliance control system. This system will apply Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze the compliance of treaties and agreements, including for example bilateral agreements that are particularly relevant for operationalizing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Your Role Will Involve:
Developing an AI-enabled database that identifies and resolves terminological and conceptual ambiguities.
Creating a method for assessing both existing and new agreements and treaties, which will form the foundation for best practice guidelines.
Collaborating with a team of social science researchers to design and implement the AI-based compliance control system.
Delivering a functional software prototype to be used by JusTN0W stakeholders and collaboration partners.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, law, and sustainability, contributing to innovative research with real-world impact.
At Grade 6:
To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings.
To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology and software according to overall context and objectives.
To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigators and offering creative or innovative solutions.
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 attending relevant training and development courses.
To assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment.
And Additionally, At Grade 7 Only:
To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that lead to the presentation of research papers or software releases 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, and existing and potential new software users.
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 Investigators.
To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
To conduct individual and collaborative research software development projects under the direction of the Principal Investigators.
To work with the Principal Investigator and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research software portfolio.
To liaise with research colleagues (in particular users of the software) and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate.
This post is fixed term for a period of 1 year, with ...
About the Company
We conduct interdisciplinary and cross-sector research into what we call 'hidden experience' and investigate experiences of health and illness that are marginalised, difficult, unspeakable, unacknowledged or invisible. Our aim is to transform knowledge within and beyond the critical medical humanities, improve health policy and practice, and benefit the lives of communities and individuals.
Twitter: @DurhamImh
The Polyphony: thepolyphony.org
Working Knowledge: workingknowledge.webspace.durham.ac.uk
Know more