We are seeking a full time Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Safe Machine Learning for Power Systems to join the Foerester Lab for AI Research (FLAIR) at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford). The post is funded by the ARIA Safegaurded AI programme and is fixed-term for 12 months (or up to the end of April 2026).

The aim of the project is to design, benchmark and scale up domain-specific solutions for the large-scale coordination of flexibility from grid-edge devices, including electric vehicles, heat pumps and smart appliances. Specifically, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in AI safety and multi-agent reinforcement learning. The position will be based with the Foerster Lab for AI Research (FLAIR), and will involve close collaboration with Professor Thomas Morstyn and researchers from Oxford's Power Systems Architecture Lab.

The key responsibility of the position will be to conduct research on multi-agent reinforcement learning and safe AI for coordinating grid-edge flexibility, and contribute to the development of a software platform for algorithm design, training and benchmarking.

You should possess the following skills and experience:

• Hold a relevant PhD/DPhil or be near completion.

• Research experience with reinforcement learning.

• Experience with programming, preferably in Python.

• Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations

• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Jakob Foerster (email: jakob@robots.ox.ac.uk)

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

Only online applications received before midday on the 3rd March 2025 can be considered. You will be required to upload a supporting statement (which should explain how your skills and past experience specifically address each of the desirable and essential selection criteria), CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing the 10th March 2025

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Contact Person :

Professor Jakob Foerster

Vacancy ID :

178222

Contact Phone :

Closing Date & Time :

03-Mar-2025 12:00

Pay Scale :

RESEARCH GRADE 7

Contact Email :

jakob@robots.ox.ac.uk

Salary (£) :

Grade 7 - £38,674 - £46,913 per annum (Inclusive of Oxford University weighting)