AIRR User Advisory Group

• Closing date: 23 April 2026
• Number of positions: Multiple
• Length of term: Two years with option to extend for Core membership.

  As-needed basis for Technical Pool membership.

• Time commitment: Quarterly meetings
• Remuneration: This is not a salaried position, although reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be paid
• Outcomes communicated date: May 2026

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UKRI UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are welcoming applicants to join the AI Research Resource (AIRR) User Advisory Group (UAG).

The AIRR UAG is devised as a flexible resource, enabling the AIRR programme to obtain the strategic advice it needs in a timely manner, drawing on a range of user perspectives from across our key stakeholder groups.

There are two streams of membership:

• Core members on a fixed two-year term
• Technical Pool members to bring topic-specific or emerging expertise on an as-needed basis

Who we’re looking for

We welcome applications from those who are in full-time or part-time work, on sabbatical or a career break, based in academia, industry, the third sector or government organisation. You will not be required to act as representative of your own organisation but rather as someone who is able to contribute on a non-affiliated basis.

We particularly encourage applications from women, from people who identify as an ethnic minority, people with a disability, and other groups who are currently under-represented. We welcome applications from people based in all regions and nations of the UK.

What you’ll be doing

Responsibilities

The UAG’s responsibilities include:

• serving as a liaison between the AIRR service management team and the user community by highlighting user needs based on community feedback
• providing actionable feedback on the functionality, performance, and usability of the AIRR services, through requesting and responding to reports and metrics on AIRR service performance provided by AIRR Operational Group (OG)
• identifying challenges and opportunities to enhance user experience
• offering recommendations on or testing new features where possible, new tools, or services that could benefit AI users
• supporting the ethical and responsible use of AI research and applications by providing recommendations to the AIRR Programme Board and OG on compliance with relevant ethical guidelines and regulations

The UAG members shall:

• participate in quarterly meetings to share insights and discuss user concerns
• advocate for equitable access and ethical practices in AIRR applications
• serve as ambassadors for the AIRR service, promoting collaboration and innovation among users
• be bound by the Seven Principles of Public Life in their UAG-related activities

Membership

The UAG will consist of Core and Rotating Adjoint members.

Core members will serve a term of a minimum of two years, with the possibility of reappointment based on user engagement and contributions. After this time a partial refresh of at least one third of the membership will be considered.

Rotating Adjunct Members (Technical Pool) will be invited to join the meetings based on quarterly agendas and expertise needed at each meeting.

How to apply

You can apply at any time by completing the online application on the UKRI Engagement Hub.

We only accept applications through the online application. We do not accept applications by email.

Contact us at airr@ukri.org if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs or need further information on the role.

How we’ll assess your application

Step 1

Applications will be assessed by a panel of UKRI and DSIT colleagues in April 2026 against the assessment criteria. A shortlist of candidates will be made, determined by how well the candidate meets the assessment criteria. Assessment is based on the evidence provided in the application.

Step 2

Vacancies will be filled from the shortlists with consideration to the following:

• provision of an appropriate balance of expertise across the AIRR UAG
• ensuring a gender balance in line with our ambition of achieving at least 30% participation of the underrepresented gender
• diversity of organisational affiliation and across the UK’s regions and nations

Step 3

The panel chair will be asked to ratify that the appropriate processes have been followed.

Step 4

Once ratification has taken place, communications will be sent to both unsuccessful and successful applicants. This is expected to be at the start of May 2026.

Further information

The AI Research Resource is a suite of advanced supercomputers that provides AI-specialised compute capacity to researchers, academia, and industry.

The AIRR offers compute access to users through Isambard-AI at the University of Bristol and Dawn at the University of Cambridge.

Providing specialised compute capacity enables small and medium-sized enterprise  and the research and development community to drive innovation and advancement in AI.

Last updated: 8 May 2026