Research Associate - School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies

The role

A Research Associate position is available in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, University of Bristol.

The position is part of the multidisciplinary UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Node in Functionality programme which aims to explore how evolving functionality (adaptation) influences how autonomous systems need to be specified, designed, verified, and regulated in order to be trustworthy. You will be part of a large multidisciplinary team of researchers from ethics, sociology, computer science and engineering working together to develop design-for-trustworthiness techniques and methods applicable to a wide range of autonomous systems, including swarm robots, soft robots and unmanned air vehicles ( more here ).

What will you be doing?

Over the next3 years you will:

• Explore, ethnographically and theoretically, the specific regulatory challenges of autonomous systems, with specific regard to how those challenges vary with evolving functionality.
• Participate in research planning, and to assume responsibilities for data fieldwork and analysis.
• Contribute to, and sometimes lead on, authorship of publications related to the project and participation in dissemination of results at national and international conferences and workshops.

You should apply if

• You have a knowledge of the sociology and/or STS literatures pertaining to engineering risk and/or regulation.
• You have experience working as a social-scientist among engineers.
• You have a facility for writing prose for academic and lay audiences.
• You are excited about working in a multi-disciplinary team to explore design-for-trustworthiness approaches for autonomous systems.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.