Research Intern – Translation Software

Grade UE5: £29,588 - £33,951 per annum, pro-rata

College of Science and Engineering / School of Chemistry

Part-time: 8 hours per week

Fixed-term: 36 weeks

Alongside generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, modern translation software has rapidly evolved from producing static unreliable outputs to fast and accurate translations. In recent years, translations can also be applied to video, audio and in-person conversations—often live. At first glance, this is a good thing, levelling the playing field for non-native English speakers and enhancing cross-cultural communication. However, with students showing a growing dependency on these systems there are concerns that many are no longer developing the language skills that they require throughout their degrees.

This study will continue an ongoing investigation into how students are currently making use of translation software during their studies, and develop guidance on how students may make use of this software effectively and appropriately during their studies. 

This study will primarily focus on students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, in the School of Chemistry and related Schools in the College of Science and Engineering, but results are expected to be highly relevant to other programmes across the University and UK Higher Education as a whole.

Opportunity 

This position is an exciting opportunity for students currently studying at the University of Edinburgh to be involved in educational research and help direct teaching policies in future.

This post is part-time (8 hours per week). We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working. On-site work will be limited by the building opening hours (Mon-Fri 8:30-17:30).

Informal enquiries about this role are very welcome – you can contact Dr David August at [email protected] for further information about the role.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Good research skills and an ability to analyse large data sets
• Proactive, resourceful and enthusiastic to learn new skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good organisational skills and time management
• Ability to work alone and in various teams

Click to view a copy of the full job description 

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

- CV

- Cover letter

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary. 
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits. 

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 11th August 2026.

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews will be held week commencing 31st August 2026. 

#LI-DNI

The School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh has a long and distinguished history. The first Chemistry Professor was appointed to the Chair in 1713 and the Edinburgh University student-led Chemical Society is regarded as the oldest chemical society in the world. The School is run as a single academic unit with approximately 160 staff (made up of academic, postdoctoral researchers and professional services staff) and 800 students (undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research students). Our vision is for all students and staff to harness their curiosity, utilising outstanding and diverse talents to pursue knowledge that can be used to tackle global challenges and improve people’s lives. Sustainability, collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of all our school activities.

School of Chemistry researchers deliver advances in both core and interdisciplinary chemistry across five overlapping themes: Catalysis & Synthesis, the Chemistry-Biology Interface, Functional Materials, Structural Chemistry & Chemical Dynamics, and Energy, Environment & Sustainable Chemistry. Our research underpins solutions to major global challenges including health, climate change, and sustainability, and we collaborate extensively with other disciplines and industry partners to take our research towards use. Our 55 group leaders work with a similar number of postdoctoral researchers and approx.155 research students to deliver £32M of current research grants across government, charity and industry funders, as well as a wide variety of public engagement activities.

Along with the University of St Andrews we formed EaStCHEM in 2004 to combine the research activities of two of Scotland’s leading schools of chemistry. Combined, we are the largest chemistry unit research in the UK. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), we were one of only three chemistry submissions to achieve a 100% “world-leading” score for our research environment. We hold a Silver Athena SWAN award, in recognition of excellence in science, engineering and technology employment in higher education relating to supporting women in Science. We are particularly proud of establishing the Christina Miller Fellowships, which have enabled seven talented postdoctoral researchers from under-represented groups to establish themselves as independent group leaders.

For further information about our school is available on the School of Chemistry Website (https://chem.ed.ac.uk/) (opens in a new browser tab).