Research Assistant

Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research, and innovation, which has been inspiring generations of thinkers for over 400 years. Thrive: Trinity College Dublin's Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030

Post ID: 039566

Post Summary:- The Complex Software Lab at Trinity College Dublin is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to undertake research on the testing, assurance and conformity assessment of Artificial Intelligence systems.

As AI systems are increasingly deployed in regulated and high-impact settings, there is a growing need for systematic approaches for determining whether such systems satisfy technical, regulatory and organisational requirements. This includes establishing what constitutes adequate evidence that an AI system has been appropriately tested and assessing properties such as accuracy, robustness, security, fairness, traceability, transparency and reliability.

The project will investigate how established approaches from software testing, AI evaluation, audit and assurance can be adapted to support the assessment of AI systems. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between technical testing and the evidence required to support AI assurance and conformity assessment, including in the context of European AI regulation.

The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of software engineering, artificial intelligence, digital forensics, audit and regulation. The research will combine analysis of existing practices and standards with empirical evaluation of AI systems and the development of practical testing and assurance methodologies.

Post status: Specific Purpose Contract

Hours of Post: TBD, full-time equivalent of 39 hours per week

Salary: Appointment will be made on the Research Ireland Team Member Salary Scale for Research Assistants at a point in line with Government Pay Policy [€34,130 to €44,311 per annum]. The specific salary point will be determined by qualifications and experience, and in accordance with RI and TCD guidelines.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit:

• A full Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a list of publications and the names and contact details of two referees.

• A cover letter detailing their experience and motivation for applying.

Submit applications to:

Name: Dr. Anthony Ventresque

Email: [email protected]

Please see the Job Description below for this position.

Our Values - putting our words into action

Values matter. They are key to the success of our Strategic Plan. We centre our behavioural values around the importance of belonging. We recognise that the university will thrive by each of us respecting and caring for one another. We know we can achieve much more through working together. We know too that we must take responsibility for our actions and be accountable. We must, and will never stop, imagining. And through being nature positive we connect not just with the environment but with our ambitions for a sustainable future.

At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all individuals, including those with disabilities, those who have followed non-traditional career paths, and those who have taken time out for reasons such as family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants, including those who have been displaced due to conflict or war.

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier university. We are an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and hold an Athena Swan Silver Award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality both within Trinity and across the higher education sector. Trinity is committed to supporting work–life balance and creating a family-friendly working environment.

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Post Specification

Post Title: Research Assistant Post Status: Specific Purpose, Full-time or Part-time Research Group / Department / School: School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin Location: School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland Reports to: Anthony Ventresque Salary: Appointment will be made on the Research Ireland Team Member Salary Scale for Research Assistants at a point in line with Government Pay Policy [€34,130 to €44,311 per annum]. The specific salary point will be determined by qualifications and experience, and in accordance with RI and TCD guidelines. Hours of Work: TBD, full-time equivalent of 39 hours per week Closing Date: 12 Noon (GMT), Tuesday 27th October 2026

Post Summary The Complex Software Lab at Trinity College Dublin is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to undertake research on the testing, assurance and conformity assessment of Artificial Intelligence systems. As AI systems are increasingly deployed in regulated and high-impact settings, there is a growing need for systematic approaches for determining whether such systems satisfy technical, regulatory and organisational requirements. This includes establishing what constitutes adequate evidence that an AI system has been appropriately tested and assessing

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properties such as accuracy, robustness, security, fairness, traceability, transparency and reliability. The project will investigate how established approaches from software testing, AI evaluation, audit and assurance can be adapted to support the assessment of AI systems. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between technical testing and the evidence required to support AI assurance and conformity assessment, including in the context of European AI regulation. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of software engineering, artificial intelligence, digital forensics, audit and regulation. The research will combine analysis of existing practices and standards with empirical evaluation of AI systems and the development of practical testing and assurance methodologies.

Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post • Conduct research on methodologies for the testing and evaluation of AI systems. • Design and carry out empirical studies assessing properties such as robustness, fairness, reliability, security and compliance with stated requirements. • Develop and evaluate practical approaches, test procedures and tools for AI testing. • Collaborate with researchers and external partners on interdisciplinary AI assurance and testing projects. • Contribute to research publications, reports and project deliverables, and maintain well-documented experimental artefacts.

Funding Information This position is funded through the LERO Research Centre for Software.

Person Specification

Qualifications • An honours degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Forensics, Cybercrime, Software Engineering, Law, Accounting, Information Systems, or another relevant discipline.

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• A relevant postgraduate qualification, or equivalent substantial professional experience, in an area relevant to AI evaluation, digital investigation, audit, assurance or technology regulation.

Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable) Essential • Experience in one or more of the following areas: digital investigation, forensic analysis, audit, assurance, risk assessment, compliance, AI evaluation or technology- related investigation. • Knowledge of artificial intelligence and the principal challenges associated with evaluating or assuring AI-enabled systems. • Experience analysing complex information and assembling evidence to support defensible findings or conclusions. • Experience of working with data and digital tools for investigation, analysis or evaluation. • Ability to use Python or a comparable programming/scripting language for data analysis or experimental work. • Demonstrated ability to produce clear, rigorous technical, investigative, professional or research reports. • Ability to work effectively across disciplinary boundaries and communicate technical findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Desirable • Knowledge of AI testing, software testing or empirical software engineering. • Knowledge of AI risks including robustness, bias, security, privacy and reliability. • Familiarity with the EU AI Act, GDPR, AI governance, conformity assessment, technical standards or regulatory assurance. • Experience investigating or auditing technology deployed in regulated environments. • Experience with digital forensic tools, eDiscovery platforms or structured evidence- management processes. • Experience conducting research or systematic literature reviews.

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• Familiarity with statistical analysis, machine-learning evaluation or experimental methods. • Experience working with interdisciplinary teams involving technical, legal, regulatory or policy expertise.

Skills & Competencies • Strong analytical and investigative skills. • Ability to critically assess technical claims and supporting evidence. • Ability to design structured and reproducible evaluations. • Competence in Python and data-analysis tools. • Excellent written communication and report-writing skills. • Ability to communicate across technical, legal and regulatory domains. • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively. • Strong organisational and project-management skills. • Commitment to rigorous, transparent and reproducible research.

Application Procedure Applicants should submit: • A full Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a list of publications and the names and contact details of two referees. • A cover letter detailing their experience and motivation for applying.

Submit applications to: Name: Dr. Anthony Ventresque Email: [email protected]

Further Information for Applicants

URL Link to Area www.tcd.ie URL Link to Human Resources https://www.tcd.ie/hr/

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Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 87 in the World by the QS World University Ranking 2025. Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research and innovation.

Located on an iconic campus in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, Trinity has 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across our three faculties – Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; and Health Sciences.

Trinity is ranked as the Trinity is the 31st most international university in the world - Times Higher Education 2024 and has students and staff from over 120 countries.

The pursuit of excellence through research and scholarship is at the heart of a Trinity education, and our researchers have an outstanding publication record and strong record of grant success. Trinity has developed 19 broad-based multidisciplinary research themes that cut across disciplines and facilitate world-leading research and collaboration within the University and with colleagues around the world. Trinity is also home to 5 leading flagship research institutes: - Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) - Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) - Trinity Translational Medical Institute (TTMI) - Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute (TLRH) - Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN)

Trinity is the top-ranked European university for producing entrepreneurs for the past five successive years and Europe’s only representative in the world’s top-50 universities (Pitchbook Universities Report).

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Trinity is home to the famous Old Library and to the historic Book of Kells as well as other internationally significant holdings in manuscripts, maps and early printed material. The Trinity Library is a legal deposit library, granting the University the right to claim a copy of every book published in Ireland and the UK. At present, the Library’s holdings span approximately 6.5 million printed items, 400,000 e-books and 150,000 e-journals.

With over 120,000 alumni, Trinity’s tradition of independent intellectual inquiry has produced some of the world’s finest, most original minds including the writers Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett (Nobel laureates), the mathematician William Rowan Hamilton and the physicist Ernest Walton (Nobel laureate), the political thinker Edmund Burke, and the former President of Ireland Mary Robinson. This tradition finds expression today in a campus culture of scholarship, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and dedication to societal reform.

Rankings Trinity College Dublin is the top ranked university in Ireland. • Trinity College Dublin is Ireland's No.1 University - QS World University Ranking 2025; Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 • Trinity is ranked 87 in the World by the QS World University Ranking 2025 • Trinity is ranked 139 in the World by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Full details are available at: www.tcd.ie/research/about/rankings.

The Selection Process in Trinity

The Selection Committee (Interview Panel) may include members of the Academic and Administrative community together with External Assessor(s) who are expert in the area. Applications will be acknowledged by email. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt within 1 day of submitting your application online, please contact the named hiring lead on the job specification immediately and prior to the closing date/time.

Given the degree of co-ordination and planning to have a Selection Committee available on the specified date, the University regrets that it may not be in a position to offer alternate

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selection dates. Where candidates are unavailable, reserves may be drawn from a shortlist. Outcomes of interviews are notified in writing to candidates and are issued no later than 5 working days following the selection day.

In some instances the Selection Committee may avail of telephone or video conferencing. The University’s selection methods may consist of any or all of the following: Interviews, Presentations, Psychometric Testing, References and Situational Exercises.

It is the policy of the University to conduct pre-employment medical screening/full pre- employment medicals. Information supplied by candidates in their application (Cover Letter and CV) will be used to shortlist for interview.

Applications from non-EEA citizens are welcomed. However, eligibility is determined by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and further information on the Highly Skills Eligible Occupations List is set out in Schedule 3 of the Regulations https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment- Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Highly-Skilled-Eligible-Occupations-List/ and the Ineligible Categories of Employment are set out in Schedule 4 of the Regulations https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment- Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Ineligible-Categories-of-Employment/ . Non-EEA candidates should note that the onus is on them to secure a visa to travel to Ireland prior to interview. Non-EEA candidates should also be aware that even if successful at interview, an appointment to the post is contingent on the securing of an employment permit.

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Equal Opportunities Policy

Trinity is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community. On that basis we encourage and welcome talented people from all backgrounds to join our staff community. Trinity’s Diversity Statement can be viewed in full at https://www.tcd.ie/diversity-inclusion/diversity-statement.

Pension Entitlements

This is a pensionable position and the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 will apply in relation to retirement age for pension purposes. Details of the relevant Pension Scheme will be provided to the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that they will be required to complete a Pre-Employment Declaration to confirm whether or not they have previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Irish Public Service employment.

Applicants formerly employed by the Irish Public Service that may previously have availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of Incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes. Such queries should be directed to an applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in the first instance.

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Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae , a cover letter detailing their experience and motivation for applying and include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including email addresses), to:- Name: Dr. Anthony Ventresque Email: [email protected]