About BOLD
This is truly an exciting opportunity to join The British Open-ended Learning and Discovery (BOLD) Lab, a major new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded initiative that will establish a world-leading AI research laboratory at the University of Oxford. Oxford is taking a lead role in bringing together more than 80 researchers from Oxford, UCL and Imperial under one unified vision. Interested? Please read on.
BOLD Lab will pursue ambitious, high-risk research to advance the fundamental science of artificial intelligence and address some of the field's most important challenges. We will create a unique collaborative environment where researchers, students and partners work together to develop transformative new ideas, train future leaders in AI, and strengthen the UK's position at the forefront of global AI research.
We’re aiming to unlock breakthroughs that could shape the future of AI and deliver lasting scientific, economic and societal impact. What about funding? BOLD has an initial investment of around £8 million, with the potential to receive a further £22 million extending the investment over six years, BOLD Lab represents one of the UK's most ambitious investments in fundamental AI research. What about computing power? Well, BOLD also has access to national compute resources (3M GPU hours on Isambard for the first 1.5 years) and we are working hard to get to 5000 H100 equivalent compute capacity in total across industry and government support.
We have prepared additional materials about BOLD and the role here
What we’re looking for
BOLD is building its founding team and we are looking for up to 12 exceptional, senior researchers as BOLD Fellows motivated in supporting this growth. We need people who have already established a strong, original research track record in AI or a closely related field, and who are ready to take on a high level of independence and responsibility: setting their own research direction, publishing at the highest level, and mentoring more junior researchers and doctoral students. We’re looking for outstanding researchers not only in their own right, but who are motivated by more than personal output alone - people who care about the quality and originality of the science, and who also want to play an active part in building a research culture and community around it.
As a BOLD Fellow, you will have exceptional independence, direct collaboration with world-leading colleagues across Oxford, UCL and Imperial, access to substantial and rapidly growing compute resources, and real influence over the intellectual direction and culture of a major national lab that is still being built.
The BOLD Fellows will play a leading role in the management of the BOLD Lab and have responsibility for the development of its strategic and scientific direction. They should be a recognised authority in their field with primary responsibility for a programme of independent funded research projects. Fellows will co-lead the research group, delegating ongoing responsibilities, contributing to the overarching vision and managing staff performance. The postholder will engage in advanced study and academic research.
The 12 posts will be employed across three Universities as we collaborate together.
The post is funded by UKRI and is fixed-term for 12 months.
Full details of the role can be found in the Job Description.
What We Offer
BOLD fellows have the opportunity to become Associate Members of the Common Room at Reuben College. A fantastic opportunity available to BOLD Fellows.
Reuben College offers a stimulating environment that facilitates wider interdisciplinary networking. The College also has a broad range of expertise within the AI and Machine Learning community and BOLD Fellows will have access to a wide range of opportunities (e.g. dining facilities, social events, seminars, etc.) and a uniquely broad and interconnected ecosystem that will support BOLD's success.
Your happiness and wellbeing at work matters to us, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:
- An excellent contributory pension scheme, including life cover and a package of protection
for beneficiaries in the event of death in service
- A comprehensive range of childcare services
- Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
- Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
- The IT equipment, relevant tools and subscriptions you need
- Subject to the relevant policy and funder guidance, expenses covered for travel to visit
stakeholders, investors, relevant conferences & events, collaborators
How to Apply
Informal enquiries about being a BOLD Fellow may be addressed to
Only applications received before midday on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement describing how past experience fit with the advertised position, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.
