Job Description
Job Title:  Research Associate (PHAWM)
Posting Start Date:  31/01/2025
Job Id:  743
School/Department:  History, Philosophy & Digital Humanities
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  39,105.00
Closing Date:  20/2/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

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

 

We have an exciting opportunity in our Digital Humanities Institute (DHI) for a fixed-term Research Associate to make a leading contribution to the Participatory Harm Auditing Workbenches and Methodologies (PHAWM) project. The PHAWM project seeks to support diverse stakeholders without a background in AI, such as domain experts, regulators, decision subjects and end-users, undertake audits of predictive and generative AI, either individually or collectively. To enable stakeholders to carry out an audit, the project will produce workbenches that support them in assessing the quality and potential harms of AI. The participatory audits will be embedded in methodologies which guide how, when and who carries out these audits. The project will train stakeholders in carrying out participatory audits and work towards a certification framework for AI solutions. The project brings together a consortium of 7 academic institutions and 24 partner organisations to ensure that AI is safe and trustworthy. https://phawm.org/

With proven, exceptional research abilities in the field of digital humanities, you will be responsible for carrying out research related work to investigate the systematic and participatory auditing of current and evolving AI technologies within the Cultural Heritage sector, with a focus on Museums, Archives and Libraries. This will involve literature reviews, workbench development, scoping work, horizon scanning, feasibility studies, pilot projects, grant application development, project administration, and workshop administration, and undertaking single and jointly authored publications and conference presentations in line with the DHI’s publication plans.

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Undertake research in the 'use of GenAI in the Cultural Heritage sector with a focus on auditing workbenches and methodologies' in line with project requirements.
  • Manage data collection and storage on a day-to-day basis.
  • Liaise closely with other academics, advisers and administrators relevant to the study.
  • Collect and analyse a variety of primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources.
  • Take a lead role in the analysis and writing up of survey data, using multi-level modelling.
  • Survey the research literature and environment, understand the cultural, political and ethical challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
  • Assist in the writing of the project website/blog, newsletters, reports and scholarly publications.
  • Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance both the project and your individual research profile.
  • Attend project meetings and research advisory group meetings.
  • Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
  • Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
  • Actively engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
  • 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

  • A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within Responsible AI.
  • Knowledge of issues around the application of digital technologies in the Cultural Heritage sector.
  • Knowledge of HCI principles and techniques.
  • Proven experience of working in an interdisciplinary environment.
  • Achieved or be on track to achieving a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject (assessed at application)
  • Project management experience to ensure that projects are completed to the required quality, on time and within budget (assessed at application/interview)
  • Proven ability to carry out high quality research and disseminate research findings (assessed at application/interview)
  • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and experience of delivering presentations in order to disseminate research findings (assessed at application/interview)
  • Ability to work independently and seek guidance where appropriate (assessed at interview)
  • Demonstrate ability to manage a broad-ranging workload with challenging and competing deadlines and to deliver to agreed timescales (assessed at application/interview)

 

Desirable criteria 

  • Ability to design and conduct appropriate quantitative and qualitative evaluations of novel technology (assessed at application/interview
  • Knowledge of AI development (assessed at application/interview

 

Further Information

Grade: 7.4 (£39,105)

Duration: 1st April 2025 - 31st July 2026

Line manager: Dr Kathryn Simpson

Direct reports: n/a

 

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Dr Kathryn Simpson, Lecturer in Digital Humanities: on kathryn.simpson@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 1344

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on w/c 24th February. This will consist of a panel interview and short presentation, the title will be shared with shortlisted candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 17th February. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Hannah Russell, Operations Manager, hannah.russell@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 41 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.