Postdoctoral Research Associate

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 3.5 years

Help us redefine what’s possible. Be part of something bigger. 

Here, you can continue to make a difference in everything around you. Take on new challenges, grow your career, be recognised for your contributions, and benefit from our commitment to your wellbeing. Be part of something bigger — where your work has real impact and your development matters.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking to appoint a talented researcher to the role of Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work on The Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life (LCAL). LCAL is a major new interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to the study of how machine learning and AI algorithms are transforming societies. LCAL pursues one of the most urgent questions for contemporary society: how do we wish to live with and alongside algorithmic technologies? Our researchers are examining the novel paradigms of knowledge, perception, and action that emerge with contemporary algorithmic technologies. Led by Prof. Louise Amoore at the Centre’s hub in Durham University, LCAL has collaborative partners in York, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and Duke Universities.

The post-holder will join the “Decisions” cluster, led by Prof. Nehal Bhuta, which examines how algorithmic life is changing the character of decisions through the hybrid knowledges of humans and algorithms. From the critical decisions in military and security domains to those in welfare and public administration, algorithmic life advances automated and machine decisions into human life. The work within this cluster will develop novel algorithmic life approaches to decision, and to ideas of accountable, responsible, or ethical decision. 

The successful candidate will hold a PhD (or have a defence date) in any relevant field, including but not limited to Law, History, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Computer Science, and Science and Technology Studies. 

Their proposed research will address one or more of the Thematic Programmes and Clusters of the LCAL, as well as the Decisions Cluster. They will be well-organized, motivated and able to take initiative to develop advanced research, work with others in an interdisciplinary environment, and contribute to building intellectual community through knowledge exchange.

Specifically, they will:

• Pursue research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, commensurate with Law School and LCAL’s continuing emphasis on international excellence; 
• Develop clear plans for the pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement;
• Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment LCAL and the Law School, the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity; 
• Demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the Law School and LCAL.
• To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the Law School and LCAL’s commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture.  

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

Apply Before: 07/10/2026, 23:59