Senior Research Fellow (AI Adoption and Productivity)

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Company

hirify.global is a higher education and research institution conducting an independent academic evaluation of AI adoption and its impact on institutional productivity.

What you will do

• Design and deliver mixed-method research on AI adoption and its organisational impact under the guidance of the Principal Investigator.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis and contribute to literature reviews.
• Develop academic articles, blog posts, executive summaries, and policy-facing outputs.
• Coordinate data audits and baseline and follow-up surveys across staff and student populations.
• Work with IT, HR, faculties, Teaching & Learning, and external partners to assemble and analyse research data.
• Support research ethics, data governance, and information-security approvals.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant field such as economics, management, applied data science, or innovation studies.
• Knowledge of and interest in AI, digital transformation, and effects on economic or business performance.
• Ability to combine qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Experience with programme evaluation methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical material to non-academic stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience designing and administering large-scale surveys and working with linked administrative or telemetry data under GDPR.
• Familiarity with causal inference for staggered programme adoption, including difference-in-differences and event studies.
• Research experience in the economics of AI, digital tools, or technology adoption in organisations.
• Experience combining qualitative case studies with quantitative analysis.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive academic environment that values diverse perspectives, debate, and independent enquiry.
• Generous employer pension contribution.
• 29 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.
• Ride-to-work and electric vehicle car schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working information is available through the university.