Research Fellow- Age Verification/Biometrics FP-R)

The University of Southampton (UoS), in partnership with Ingenium Biometric Laboratories (IBL), is seeking a Research Fellow to design and implement a software framework for the testing of age estimation technologies (AET) from facial images.  

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge biometric research at the intersection of computer science and digital identity technologies. Funded by Innovate UK through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), the Fellow will lead the development of an end-to-end AET testing framework, encompassing data assembly, software interfacing, test design, statistical analysis, and results reporting. The role will also involve planning and managing project activities, building research skills and networks, and engaging with academic and industrial partners under appropriate guidance and supervision. 

The Research Fellow will be jointly supervised by the business supervisor Dr Chris Allgrove (IBL) and the academic supervision team led by Professor Richard Guest (UoS). The Fellow will be an integral member of the Ingenium team, actively contributing to the company’s research and development activities. Regular supervision meetings will be held at least once a week to ensure ongoing progress. In addition, formal management meetings will take place approximately every four months to review milestones, evaluate outcomes, and provide the Fellow with the opportunity to present updates to the wider project team. The role will also engage with a range of external stakeholders, including academic researchers, Funders, learned societies, and industry clients associated with Ingenium Biometric Laboratories.

The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive induction at both IBL and UoS and will have access to staff training and development opportunities through the University to support their professional development and project delivery.

This role is based full-time at Ingenium Biometric Laboratories in Canterbury, Kent. Due to the nature of the research and the lab environment, this is lab-based position requiring on-site work and as such, there is no option for hybrid or remote working.

In addition to the standard pre-employment clearances for the appointment, all candidates will be subject to a criminal records check and further security checks defined by the Cabinet Office, as part of their Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Individuals will usually need to have been resident in the UK for at least the last three years to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance.

Please upload your CV and covering letter with your application.

Closing Date: 19 Feb 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £36,636 to £44,746 per annum Full Time Fixed Term for 12 months