Researcher

About you

We are looking for a researcher with excellent qualitative research skills and a strong interest / background in topics related to AI, data, and the social or ‘everyday’ impacts of technology. We are interested in candidates who are familiar with a range of qualitative approaches or methodologies, which may include forms of interview research, deliberative methods, or any techniques included under the participatory action research umbrella. We welcome new forms of expertise, experience and understanding, including practice-based knowledge and research experience gained through alternative routes.

You’ll enjoy working in a team environment, willing to jump into projects and keen to explore new social domains and emerging technologies that you may not be familiar with.  You’ll appreciate the importance of rigorous research but also want to think creatively about communicating and influencing in novel ways (including engaging with both technical communities and lay audiences on these topics).

This role is an excellent opportunity for an early career researcher to shape emerging policy and practice around AI and data-driven technologies. Working with an interdisciplinary team of social scientists, lawyers, policy experts, and more, you will have the opportunity to create research outputs that are designed to deliver Ada’s strategy and mission.

For further information about the role, please download the full job description (PDF).

Further information and how to apply

Applications are made using the Applied platform.

The closing date for applications is 09:30AM (GMT) on Wednesday 26th November 2025, with interviews anticipated to take place on 8th December 2025.

If you have any questions about the role ahead of applying (or need to make an application in a different format), please email recruitment@nuffieldfoundation.org and a member of the Nuffield Foundation’s HR team will respond to you.

We use the Applied platform to reduce potential cognitive biases in our hiring process.  You will be required to complete some questions as part of this application process, and you are also required to upload an up-to-date copy of your CV. The Applied platform lets you save an application and resume it ahead of submitting before the application deadline.

The Nuffield Foundation and its Centres think deeply about the role of emerging technology in society. All recruitment decisions are made by a person (we do not use AI tools to rate or reject applicants). We ask applicants to respond to the questions using their own experience, thinking and opinion, writing in their own tone of voice rather than using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. The use of generative AI can result in generic responses to individual questions which stand out less to reviewers.

Please note that for vacancies which receive a high volume of applications, we may undertake an initial screening of CVs.

We are committed to inclusive working practices and during the application process we will:

• As a Disability Confident employer, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the essential criteria for the job.

• Make any reasonable adjustments – for example providing documents in different formats, arranging for a sign language interpreter for interviews etc.
• Reimburse reasonable travel costs for interviews where in-person attendance is required.

Our benefits package includes:   

• Genuine flexibility – we are open to requests for part-time hours, compressed working weeks, or job shares.

•  28 days holiday per annum and all public holidays (with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days).

• A salary exchange pension scheme that offers employer contributions of up to 11%.

• Life assurance scheme.

• Family leave policies that provide an enhanced level of pay.

• Cycle to work scheme and loans towards season tickets.

• Regular opportunities for learning and development – including coaching, mentoring, and dedicated reading weeks to recharge and reflect.

• Support with your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including an employee assistance provider, a private GP service, personal health reviews with Bupa, a will and funeral planning service and a staff network of trained Mental Health First Aiders.

• A warm and welcoming workplace culture, with active peer groups and social networks to help you connect and belong.