Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
Our Purpose and Values
We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
The Role and Department
Durham University has made significant investments in the Department of Computer Science. The number of staff has grown from around 20 to 60. We have launched new degree programmes, developed new research areas, and in January 2021 moved into a brand new purpose building with our colleagues in Mathematics. We are a relatively young and vibrant department – where inclusivity and collegiality is at the heart of what we do. The department has five Research Groups:
- Algorithms and Complexity (ACiD)
- Network Engineering, Science and Theory (NESTiD)
- Scientific Computing (SciComp)
- Artificial Intelligence and Human Systems (AIHS)
- Vision , Imaging, and Visualization (VIVID)
We are ranked 4th in the UK in the Complete Guide 2024.
For more information, please visit our department pages at
https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/computer-science/
The Role
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Computer Science with a particular emphasis on the design and performance analysis of resource allocation algorithms for entanglement distribution in quantum networks. The purpose of the role is to contribute to the project “Utility Optimization in Quantum Networks: Algorithm Design and Analysis”, working with Dr. Thirupathaiah Vasantam (Durham University) and Prof. Ayalvadi Ganesh (The University of Bristol, UK). The successful applicant will be based at Durham University but will have opportunities to visit Prof. Ayalvadi Ganesh’s group at the University of Bristol, UK. The successful applicant will have opportunities to collaborate with Prof. Neil Walton (Durham University, UK).
The general aim of this project is to develop throughput-optimal entanglement distribution algorithms (both centralized and decentralized algorithms) for quantum networks with resource constraints.
The project is funded by the EPSRC AI hub, “INFORMED-AI” hub. More details can be found about the INFORMED-AI hub at https://informed-ai.net.
The post is fixed term for 24 months with the start date as September 1st 2026, and the end date as August 31st 2028. The successful applicant will be a member of the NESTiD group within the Department of Computer Science at Durham University, UK.
Key responsibilities:
This post is fixed term for 24 months and will end on August 31st, 2028, unless a later start date has been agreed. The funding is available for this limited time only.
The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.
Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post as soon as possible, no later than September 1st, 2026.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.
If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.
The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Dr. Thirupathaiah Vasantam
[email protected]
Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application
If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]
Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).
University contact for general queries about the recruitment process
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What to Submit
All applicants are asked to submit:
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a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
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A statement as to your aspirations as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in terms of what motivates you, what you would like to achieve and what your broad approaches to research are (maximum 2 pages)
Next Steps
Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will take place remotely on Microsoft Teams. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to give a short presentation of their research, followed by an interview.
In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
Qualifications
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A PhD (or be close to submission) in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering/Mathematics or a related subject.
Experience
2. The applicant must have a strong background in mathematical modelling and performance evaluation of communication networks using applied probability, queueing theory, stochastic processes, and optimization. Prior experience of working on quantum networking is desirable but not required.
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Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
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Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
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Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
Skills
6. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
7. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
8. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable Criteria
Experience
9. Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.
10. A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
11. Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
12. Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.
Skills
13. Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.
14. Excellent programming skills
