Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow in Digital Security and Behaviour (KD

About the role

The Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour (IDSB) at the University of Bath is seeking a talented Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow to join our growing team

The IDSB brings together over 50 experts in behavioural and social science aspects of digital security - academic and research staff and doctoral students across three Faculties who take a “whole of society” approach to understanding challenges and opportunities associated with digital technologies. 

Our research puts people at the heart of digital security, Come and join us if you want to help create a more innovative, safe, secure and resilient digital society, develop the next generation of leaders in digital security and behaviour, and advance the UK as a global leader in this domain

In this role you will design and conduct research studies, contribute to funding applications, and work with academics across multiple disciplines to better understand human interactions with digital technologies in a security context.

You will also help synthesize and disseminate research outputs to a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, industry, and regulators. The post provides the opportunity to engage in major initiatives such as:

EPSRC AI for Collective Intelligence Hub (AI4CI hub)UKRI Network Plus for Analytical Behavioural Science in Security and Defence (NABS+)UKRI Policing Academic Centre of Excellence (P-ACE)EPSRC Cyber Security Research and Networking Environment (CRANE)

The appointment will be made at a level commensurate with your experience. As a Research Fellow, you will hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Psychology, Behavioural or Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, or another relevant field, and be able to demonstrate a suitable publication track record. 

To be appointed at the Senior Research Fellow level, you will have considerable post-doctoral research experience in a relevant field, a strong publication record, and be able to demonstrate leadership, mentorship, and success in securing research funding in your area of specialisation.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year

About the department 

The Institute office and Behavioural Research Lab are located in the School of Management, one of the UK’s leading business schools, renowned for academic excellence, research impact, and global outlook. The School offers a vibrant academic environment and comprehensive support for staff, including career development, visa assistance, and access to world-class facilities

About you

We are looking for a social scientist with a background in Psychology, Behavioural or Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related fields. The ideal candidate will:

Be comfortable with both qualitative and quantitative methodsHave experience with large datasets, computational social science, simulated digital environments, smartphone-based data collection, participatory research, or AI integration in research platformsHave experience in securing research funding and contributing to publicationsBe excited to contribute to the Institute’s interdisciplinary ethos and online behaviour/cybersecurity research profile

Further information

This post is offered on a permanent, part-time basis, with working hours dependent on the grade appointed: 0.82 FTE (approximately 30 hours/week) for Grade 8, or 0.67 FTE (approximately 24.5 hours/week) for Grade 9. In the longer term, it may be possible to increase the hours, subject to available funding, if the post-holder wishes.

For an informal discussion relating to this vacancy please contact any of the leadership team: 

Professor Laura Smith - [email protected] Adam Joinson - [email protected] Olivia Brown - [email protected] Andre Barrinha - [email protected] Julian Padget - [email protected]

However, please ensure that you submit your application through the university's website.

Please note that, in line with our commitment to reducing unconscious bias in recruitment, longlisting will be conducted anonymously. The panel will make their initial decisions based only on your answers to the longlisting questions. CVs and research statements will only be considered at the shortlisting stage.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. 

What can we offer you

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

Free counselling services through Health AssuredCycle to work schemeElectric vehicle salary sacrifice schemeStaff discount at Team Bath gymStaff discounts on postgraduate tuition feesStaff discount on language coursesGenerous employer contributory pension schemesGenerous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balanceA wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and moreFree entry to the Holburne Museum in BathLocal discounts and moreA family-friendly workplace An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforceRelocation allowanceVisa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.

                                                           

Closing Date: 11 Jan 2026

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £47,389 to £67,468 (Research Fellow) or £47,389 - £67,468 (Senior Research Fellow) pro rata per annum