Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Research Assistant/Associate in Data Science for Construction Productivity (Fixed Term)

Economicsnetwork
Cambridge
1 week ago
Create job alert

A position exists, for a Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Engineering, to work on Data Science for Construction Productivity. The researcher's responsibilities will include the development and implementation of machine learning (ML), computer vision (CV), large language models (LLMs), and vision-language models (VLM) to automate data extraction and interpretation for productivity measurement in construction.

The skills, qualifications and experience required to perform the role are:

  • Hold (or be close to obtaining) a PhD in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Strong machine learning (ML), computer vision (CV), large language models (LLM) for quantitative data, texts, images, and sensor-based data.
  • Experience in automated collection of unstructured and structured data in different formats, and translating these into a standard format for analysis, interpretation, and dashboard development.
  • Experience of working with industry partners is desirable.
  • Excellent English language proficiency.
  • Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills including the ability to write concise and well-presented text in academic papers and/or industry reports.
  • Evidence of working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and able to liaise and work with a full range of the Laing O'Rourke Centre stakeholders including academics and industry.

The Laing O'Rourke Centre supports flexible work arrangements. Core working time at the Centre based in the West Cambridge Civil Engineering offices to build team collaboration is expected.

Salary ranges:

Research Assistant: £33,002 - £35,608;

Research Associate £37,694 - £46,049.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter detailing how your experience meets the person profile requirements, a copy of your degree(s) certificate(s) along with a full transcript, and research publication list in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contactJan Wojtecki, Laing O'Rourke Centre Manager by email at . For queries of a technical nature about the role, please contact Dr Brian Sheil at .

Please quote reference NM47014 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

£33,002 to £46,049 per annum


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Research Assistant/Associate in Data Science for Construction Productivity (Fixed Term)

Associate Professor (Research and Education) in Statistics and Data Science - School of Mathema[...]

Assistant Professor (Research and Education) in Statistics and Data Science - School of Mathema[...]

Assistant Professor (Research and Education) in Statistics and Data Science - School of Mathematics

Machine Learning Researcher

IoT Data Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

The Future of Machine Learning Jobs: Careers That Don’t Exist Yet

Machine learning (ML) has become one of the most powerful forces reshaping the modern world. From voice assistants and recommendation engines to fraud detection and medical imaging, it underpins countless applications. ML is no longer confined to research labs—it powers business models, public services, and consumer technologies across the globe. In the UK, demand for machine learning professionals has risen dramatically. Organisations in finance, retail, healthcare, and defence are embedding ML into their operations. Start-ups in Cambridge, London, and Edinburgh are pioneering innovations, while government-backed initiatives aim to position the UK as a global AI leader. Salaries for ML engineers and researchers are among the highest in the tech sector. Yet despite its current importance, machine learning is only at the beginning of its journey. Advances in generative AI, quantum computing, robotics, and ethical governance will reshape the profession. Many of the most vital machine learning jobs of the next two decades don’t exist today. This article explores why new careers will emerge, the roles likely to appear, how today’s roles will evolve, why the UK is well positioned, and how professionals can prepare now.

Seasonal Hiring Peaks for Machine Learning Jobs: The Best Months to Apply & Why

The UK's machine learning sector has evolved into one of Europe's most intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding technology markets, with roles spanning from junior ML engineers to principal machine learning scientists and heads of artificial intelligence research. With machine learning positions commanding salaries from £32,000 for graduate ML engineers to £160,000+ for senior principal scientists, understanding when organisations actively recruit can dramatically accelerate your career progression in this pioneering and rapidly evolving field. Unlike traditional software engineering roles, machine learning hiring follows distinct patterns influenced by AI research cycles, model development timelines, and algorithmic innovation schedules. The sector's unique combination of mathematical rigour, computational complexity, and real-world application requirements creates predictable hiring windows that strategic professionals can leverage to advance their careers in developing tomorrow's intelligent systems. This comprehensive guide explores the optimal timing for machine learning job applications in the UK, examining how enterprise AI strategies, academic research cycles, and deep learning initiatives influence recruitment patterns, and why strategic timing can determine whether you join a groundbreaking AI research team or miss the opportunity to develop the next generation of machine learning algorithms.

Pre-Employment Checks for Machine Learning Jobs: DBS, References & Right-to-Work and more Explained

Pre-employment screening in machine learning reflects the discipline's unique position at the intersection of artificial intelligence research, algorithmic decision-making, and transformative business automation. Machine learning professionals often have privileged access to proprietary datasets, cutting-edge algorithms, and strategic AI systems that form the foundation of organizational competitive advantage and automated decision-making capabilities. The machine learning industry operates within complex regulatory frameworks spanning AI governance directives, algorithmic accountability requirements, and emerging ML ethics regulations. Machine learning specialists must demonstrate not only technical competence in model development and deployment but also deep understanding of algorithmic fairness, AI safety principles, and the societal implications of automated decision-making at scale. Modern machine learning roles frequently involve developing systems that impact hiring decisions, financial services, healthcare diagnostics, and autonomous operations across multiple regulatory jurisdictions and ethical frameworks simultaneously. The combination of algorithmic influence, predictive capabilities, and automated decision-making authority makes thorough candidate verification essential for maintaining compliance, fairness, and public trust in AI-powered systems.