Cardiff University is recruiting a Research Associate to join its internationally recognised Natural Language Processing (NLP) Group within the School of Computer Science and Informatics. This full-time research position offers an excellent opportunity for researchers interested in large language models, applied NLP, and real-world AI applications. The successful candidate will work within the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship led by Professor Jose Camacho-Collados, contributing to innovative research that advances the understanding of language models while developing impactful natural language processing technologies. The fixed-term appointment runs for 14 months, with a flexible start date around 1 December 2026, and offers a competitive salary of £41,064–£46,049 per annum. About the Research Project The position forms part of Professor Jose Camacho-Collados’ prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, which explores how natural language processing can be applied to solve real-world challenges while improving the interpretability and capabilities of modern language models. Researchers will collaborate within the Cardiff NLP Group, a leading research community known for interdisciplinary work spanning artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, and text-based applications. The project emphasizes both theoretical advances and practical solutions, producing high-quality research outputs with meaningful societal impact. The successful Research Associate will contribute not only to the fellowship but also to the wider research activities of the School of Computer Science and Informatics and Cardiff University’s growing AI research ecosystem. Key Responsibilities The Research Associate will undertake independent and collaborative research while supporting the objectives of the UKRI fellowship. Primary responsibilities include: Conduct cutting-edge research in natural language processing and language models. Develop innovative NLP methods for real-world applications. Collaborate with multidisciplinary researchers across computer science and related fields. Produce high-quality academic publications and research outputs. Contribute to impactful AI applications and knowledge exchange activities. Participate in the broader Cardiff NLP research community through seminars, collaborations, and scientific engagement. The role is particularly suited to researchers who enjoy creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration within artificial intelligence. About the Cardiff NLP Group Cardiff University’s NLP Group is one of the UK’s established centres for natural language processing research. The group investigates a broad range of topics, including language understanding, multilingual NLP, semantic technologies, and applications of large language models across diverse domains. Researchers benefit from collaborations with academic and industrial partners worldwide, creating opportunities to translate fundamental research into practical AI solutions. Why Join Cardiff University? The School of Computer Science and Informatics has earned an international reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. The school recently expanded into Abacws, a £39 million purpose-built research facility shared with the School of Mathematics, providing state-of-the-art collaborative spaces designed to encourage interdisciplinary innovation. Additional highlights include: 96% of submitted research rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021. Collaborations with more than 100 UK and international academic and industry partners. A vibrant research culture supporting AI, data science, cybersecurity, mathematics, and computational research. Access to modern facilities within both Abacws and the Social Science Research Park (SPARK). The university is also a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), meaning applicants are evaluated on the quality and impact of their research rather than publication metrics alone. Salary and Contract Details The position offers a competitive academic salary and full-time employment conditions. Contract summary: Position: Research Associate Institution: Cardiff University Department: School of Computer Science and Informatics Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom Salary: £41,064–£46,049 per annum (Grade 6) Hours: 35 hours per week Contract: Full-time, fixed-term Duration: 14 months Start date: Approximately 1 December 2026 (flexible) Who Should Apply? Cardiff University is seeking researchers with strong expertise in natural language processing and a passion for advancing language model research. Ideal candidates will demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and the ability to thrive within multidisciplinary research teams. The role is particularly relevant for applicants with backgrounds in: Natural Language Processing Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Computational Linguistics Computer Science Language Models and LLM Research Applied AI and Text Analytics Researchers with experience producing high-quality academic work and collaborating across disciplines are especially encouraged to apply. Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Research Cardiff University welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment. Applications are encouraged from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minority communities, LGBT+ individuals, and disabled researchers. The university also supports flexible working arrangements and accepts applications submitted in either English or Welsh, with Welsh applications receiving equal consideration. Application Deadline Interested candidates should submit their applications before: Closing Date: Wednesday, 9 September 2026 Early applications are recommended to ensure full consideration for this exciting UK research opportunity in artificial intelligence and natural language processing. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. 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