Marie Curie Doctoral Fellow - Data and AI for Active Ageing

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This is a full time/fixed term opportunity for 36 months

We have three Marie Curie Doctoral Fellow opportunities and candidates must submit separate applications for each post they wish to be considered for

Gross salary per month (before tax, employer and employee national insurance costs and pension contributions): 3400 Euro + 600 Euro mobility allowance + family allowance 660 Euro (if you have family at the time of recruitment)

In accordance with the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie-Actions financial guidelines for this scheme.

(Salary is paid in £, the precise figure is dependent on £/Euro conversion rate)

An exciting and rare opportunity to join a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme.

We are looking for an ambitious and talented early stage researcher, who is passionate about harnessing Data Science and AI for the common good and social innovation. The researcher will join a cohort of 13 fellows from the Data2Action Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme (www.Data2Action.eu) 

The successful candidate will be registered as a Marie Curie PhD student with the topic: “Scaling and increasing the magnitude of the impact of social innovation for active ageing through data science and AI”. The main objectives are:

1. Using AI, conduct Literature Review and develop Theoretical Framework informing the study.
2. Map out Urban-Rural differences in co-production of services for older people.
3. Design and propose AI-facilitated social innovation models for community-based healthcare services.
4. Engage with relevant stakeholders in AI-informed co-creation processes.
5. Develop a scalability model for AI social innovation and service co-production.

Data2Action:  is the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme uniting social innovation with data science & AI for common good. Data2Action exists to make emerging technology work harder for humanity, enabling us to co-create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world for all.  Data2Action aims to train the next generation of leaders in data science, AI and social innovation, through solid research training, mentoring, networking and collaboration with industry and third sector.

Data2Action is an ambitious new research and development project that will:

• Show social pioneers how to harness data science and AI for common good and conversely.
• Shape the future of technology development to serve social innovation and the common good.

The Data2Action project is situated at the intersection between social innovation, digital technology development and “tech/data/AI for good”.

Data2Action will bring together top researchers and experts in data science, AI, and social innovation to collaborate on five pivotal outcomes that will turn possibilities into positive impact.  

#1 Co-creating a research roadmap
An evidence-based framework of best practices for applying data science and AI to drive social innovation more efficiently and rapidly. 

#2 Developing and testing through living labs
Demonstrator projects showcasing the benefits of data-driven social innovations addressing climate change, social justice, democracy, health, and ageing.

#3 Establishing an Data/AI-for-good ‘academy’
Open-source training and tools to build capacity in social innovators, entrepreneurs and grassroots changemakers, so they can harness data science and artificial intelligence effectively, responsibly and equitably. 

#4 Carving out career pathways for pioneers
A blueprint for well-paid roles with prospects in purposeful data science and AI. 

#5 Guiding better informed social leadership
Practical advice, support and advocacy to encourage policymakers, funders, and government organisations to ethically embed data science and AI for common good.   

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA)

The MSCA programme offers competitive and attractive working conditions. You will have an employment contract from the recruiting beneficiary. You will benefit from a competitive salary, annual leave, social security coverage. The salary will be composed of: 

• A living allowance (around 3400 euros per month – gross salary) which is adjusted by applying a country correction coefficient to the living allowance of the country in which the researcher is recruited. The country correction coefficients are indicated in Table 1 of the MSCA Work Programme
• Monthly mobility allowance: 600 euro/month
• Monthly family allowance, if applicable and depending on the family situation: 660 euro/month

The Doctoral Fellow will have the opportunity to conduct secondments in leading “Data for good” organisations and social enterprise to learn on the job and develop networks. 

For additional information see EU MSCA website. Please be aware that these amounts are subject to taxes and the exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment. The research project should result in a PhD thesis. 

The Project

The primary objective of this research is to investigate social innovation in health and care service delivery for ageing societies, with a particular focus on how AI and data science can enhance co-production processes. The study will examine the differences between urban and rural areas to explore the five key dimensions of co-production - Who, When, What, Why, and Where - in the context of ageing and healthcare services. 

To achieve this, AI technologies will be employed to systematically review the literature on social enterprise, ageing, and healthcare service provision. Additionally, AI will be used as a tool to facilitate stakeholder engagement in co-creation processes, leading to the development of AI-supported social innovations in service delivery. 

This research will be conducted in collaboration with key partners such as Impact Hub Inverness and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), with a focus on community-based service co-creation and the scalability of innovative care models. By integrating AI-driven insights with participatory methodologies, the study aims to contribute to more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable healthcare solutions for ageing populations. 

The Doctoral Candidate will be expected to: 

• Report on findings by publishing scientific articles, resulting in a PhD dissertation;
• Present findings at (inter)national meetings/conferences;
• Contribute to the wider work of the Data2Action project
• Contribute to educational activities of the department and within the consortium.

The Doctoral Candidate will be expected to: 

• Report on findings by publishing scientific articles, resulting in a PhD dissertation; 
• Present findings at (inter)national meetings/conferences; 
• Contribute to the wider work of the Data2Action project 
• Contribute to educational activities of the department and within the consortium. 

Further details on this post and more details of the project are available by contacting Prof Artur Steiner at Artur.Steiner@gcu.ac.uk.

The Candidate

We are looking for an individual with a passion for data science and AI for the common good.  We are particularly interested in ambitious individuals looking to become leaders in a new field of research and to shape the future of technological development. The candidate will need good organisational skills and the ability to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences.

Requirements  

Essential:  

• Eligible applicants must possess or be finalising a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree in a relevant discipline for Data2Action. Possible disciplines include e.g., computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, ICT engineering, digital humanities, philosophy, philosophical ethics, social sciences, anthropology, cognitive science, cybernetics, social innovation. 
• Excellent English language proficiency
• Competencies: Open-minded, collaborative, critical thinker, team player, strong communicator, self-motivated, self-driven, great communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary environment.
• Applicants must be available full-time to start the program in September 2025.

Desirable: 

• Experience in the “Data/AI for good” world
• Coding in python/R
• Ability to develop AI tools
• Knowledge of data science pipeline and tools
• Ability to synthesise complex information.  
• Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, surveys, and case study analysis.  

Eligibility Conditions: 

• Applicants do not already hold a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account. 
• Applicant must be eligible for a working visa in the UK

The University

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do.  As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive ‘Engaged’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.