About the role
Bournemouth University is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to MosAIcSOC, a €5.9 million EU-funded project coordinated by BU with 18 partners across Europe. The project is developing a modular, AI-powered Security Operations Centre framework, with applications in critical sectors including healthcare and assisted living.
You will plan, design and conduct socio-technical and human-factors research with security analysts, cybersecurity incident-response teams, healthcare and assisted-living personnel, and technology providers. Your research will inform user requirements and evaluate trust, usability and human decision-making within the project’s pilots. You will contribute to pilot monitoring, data collection and analysis, and the design of crisis simulation exercises examining communication and coordination during incidents. You will produce peer-reviewed publications, project deliverables and reports.
Alongside your research, you will support BU’s role as Project Coordinator through work planning, consortium coordination, European Commission reporting, and risk and quality management. You will also contribute to innovation and intellectual property management, business model analysis, and the sustainability of project outputs, including the SOC App Store and Digital Twin environment.
You will hold a PhD in a relevant discipline by the start date. Essential experience includes research within collaborative EU-funded projects, a proven leadership role in large consortia, and the management and administration of EU-funded projects. You will bring experience of relevant research methods, evidence of peer-reviewed publications, and a strong understanding of research ethics and data integrity. Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are essential.
This position is available on a part-time basis, working 22.2 hours per week (0.6 FTE), for a fixed term between February 2027 to August 2029.
For an informal conversation, please contact Dr Ala Yankouskaya on ayankouskaya@bournemouth.ac.uk
This position does not meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route within the UK Visa and Immigration service’s Points Based System. Therefore, BU will not be able to sponsor individuals who require permission to work to carry out this position. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.
About the department
The post is based in the School of Computing & Engineering within the Faculty of Media, Science & Technology, at BU’s Talbot Campus. You will also work within the BU Cyber Competence Centre, which provides an immersive environment for simulating realistic cyber incidents and exploring AI-supported threat detection, incident response and human decision-making.
The Centre’s emphasis on both technological and human aspects of cyber resilience provides a particularly strong setting for MosAIcSOC, which sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, generative AI and human cognition. Its links with external and industry partners provide opportunities to inform the research through operational cybersecurity challenges and contribute to practical approaches for safer human-AI cyber defence.
About us
At Bournemouth University, our motto is Discere Mutari Est - To learn is to change. Guided by our BU2035 strategy, we are building a future-focused university that empowers people to thrive, embraces innovation, and creates lasting impact through education, research and partnerships.
Our success is driven by our people. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong, can develop their potential and contribute to work that makes a difference. Whether through advancing knowledge, improving lives, strengthening communities or supporting economic growth, our staff play a vital role in shaping the future.
We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining talented people who share our values of being collaborative and inclusive, innovative and creative, empowering and ambitious, and responsible and transformative. Flexible working and job share arrangements will be considered to support a healthy work-life balance.
More than just a job, working at BU gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, alongside access to a fantastic range of staff benefits.
Core Package:
- PAY – a competitive salary with opportunities for pay progression
- PENSION – a valuable defined benefit pension with generous employer contributions
- HOLIDAY – Annual leave entitlement of 30 days plus bank holidays and winter closure (pro rata if part time)
- WORK LIFE BALANCE – flexible working arrangements including opportunities for hybrid working and flexitime (role dependant)
You will also have access to a wide range of voluntary benefits:
- Health & Wellbeing: Employee assistance programme, dental care scheme, health cash plan
- Financial & Discounts: Discounts including a reduction of fees for family members who study at BU
- Travel: Cycle to work scheme, secure bike stores, showers and lockers, free bus travel between campuses, discounted bus travel
- Sports & Activities: Sport BU has a wide range of activities which staff can access
- Family: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, on-site nursery with discounts for BU staff
- Modern, vibrant campus locations: Bright and flexible work and meeting spaces, with on-site food outlets and coffee shops
A job description for this position is available at the top of this page. If you require this in a different format, please contact us at hrvacancies@bournemouth.ac.uk.
