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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Autonomous driving systems (ADS) are rapidly advancing, but ensuring their safety and reliability remains a critical challenge. Simulation-based testing offers a promising approach to address this, using high-fidelity simulations to reduce the costs and risks associated with real-world testing.

We are seeking two highly-motivated and enthusiastic research assistants to join our team and contribute to advancing simulation-based testing methods for ADS. You will contribute to cutting-edge research projects, including the EPSRC-funded SimpliFaiS: Simplification of Failure Scenarios for Machine Learning-enabled Autonomous Systems, and the IITP-funded Simulation-Based Testing for Mobility Cyber-Physical Systems of Systems.

The successful candidates will undertake research into simulation-based testing and debugging techniques for ADS. You will work closely with our international collaborators in Germany and South Korea, engage with world-leading researchers, and contribute to open-source tools. You will also be able to present your work at national and international conferences and publish in high-quality journals. Furthermore, you will engage with the members of the Testing research group, one of the largest research groups devoted to software testing in the UK.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Research automated testing and debugging methods for ADS.
• Evaluate the performance of methods against the state of the art.
• Publish novel techniques for ADS testing and debugging in appropriate journals or conferences.
• Attend project meetings and work closely with project collaborators via remote collaboration tools, such as Google Meet.
• Help design future research challenges through the preparation and publication of data, software, and web-based documentation (eg Google Docs).
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with the members of the Testing Research group.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• BSc/MSc or equivalent in Computer Science or Software Engineering (assessed at: application/interview).
• A track record in software testing, testing for autonomous systems, or autonomous driving system development (assessed at: application/interview).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team (assessed at: interview).
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to present findings to project collaborators and at conferences (assessed at: interview).
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills (assessed at: interview).
• Expertise in statistical analysis of experimental data (assessed at: interview).

Desirable criteria

• Ability to write up research findings for submission to high-impact peer-reviewed conferences and journals (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience in using high-fidelity driving simulators (eg CARLA, BeamNG) (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 6

Salary: £31,637 to £36,130 pro rata (equivalent to a full-time salary), with an actual salary of £3,164 to £3,613 per annum based on 3.5 hours a week. Potential to progress to £39,355 pro rata through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement: Part-time

Duration: 1st September 2025 - 30th June 2026

Line manager: Lecturer in Testing (project lead)

Direct reports: None

Our website: sheffield.ac.uk/cs

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Donghwan Shin, project lead, at D.Shin@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place about two weeks after the closing date. This will consist of a presentation and an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in the week commencing Monday 11th August 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Research Recruitment Team at COM-ResearchRecruitment@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.