The extended HAI Lab family includes a growing global network of Old Members, past HAI Lab seminar guest lecturers, and supporters who are current and future leaders in tech and academia. Many Old Members continue to return to Oxford on occasion to join events, for continued engagement and camaraderie. 

All members participate in our core activities and community-building events and liaise with other members to accelerate their projects, and discuss their future trajectory. We welcome expressions of interest to join HAI Lab to undertake independent research projects that are in the spirit of our mission.

HAI Lab will consider technologists, academics, including those on leave from other institutions, researchers, and in some cases people from other fields including the arts, strictly on the basis of demonstrated skill, track record, and fit with the HAI Lab mission. Depending on the nature of the proposed project, hybrid or remote arrangements may be possible. We look for outstanding individuals with world-class potential, but we do not in all cases require a graduate degree. Researchers, faculty, and students already at the University of Oxford are also welcome to apply.

We can consider expressions of interest for periods ranging from 90 days to a year or more, subject to individuals meeting the immigration requirements for a UK visa, should this be required (which may impose additional constraints on duration).

Applications will be considered for the following categories. The University will determine which of these categories best fits your level of seniority:

• Senior Research Associate

• Research Associate

• Affiliated Student

Please note that these associations are not employed positions within the university and are unpaid, so external funding support must be sought (see below for relevant sources of funding), with additional constraints if you require a UK visa.

HAI Lab does not consider applications for graduate study directly. Students accepted into any graduate program in the University of Oxford may submit an expression of interest at any time to aiethics-hailab@philosophy.ox.ac.uk should their home departments permit them to do so. For most students interested in HAI Lab, the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Computer Science, or the Oxford Internet Institute are the most relevant graduate degree-granting departments.

Secure Funding

The positions listed above are unpaid. If funding is required, it must be secured independently before accepting an offer of association with HAI Lab. For all categories of potential members, the Cosmos Institute will consider candidates for a Cosmos Fellowship, with applications for those opportunities to be made separately with the Cosmos Institute here (using the same materials listed below and following the same application deadlines listed below). 

Funded award holders from the University of Oxford or other universities are welcome to apply as well, as are individuals with funding from other external sources. Collaboration opportunities for current Oxford faculty may also be possible with support from Cosmos Institute through the same application channel. 

Please note that an offer of funding under any of these categories does not guarantee acceptance of a HAI Lab application.

Features of HAI Lab Membership

• Participation in lab meetings  

• Participation in our philosophy group (The “Being and Doing Group”)

• Participation in our engineering studio (The “Making and Breaking Group”)

• Attendance at special events and seminars

• Access to the HAI Lab’s hot-desk workspace subject to availability

• Oxford University email address (excludes short-term visitors)

• Access to the University's Bodleian Library

HAI Lab membership does not include the following

• Accommodation or assistance in finding accommodation

• Administrative support

• Academic supervision or teaching

Step 1 Complete this online application.

Step 2 Secure or concurrently apply for your own funding.

Step 3 Send one email to aiethics-hailab@philosophy.ox.ac.uk using subject title 'Join HAI Lab' and including the items detailed below. Please send items (1) through (6) as a single PDF file not exceeding 10 MB, and use the naming convention Surname_Name_HAI.pdf. Please send item (7) as a separate file.

1. A current CV
2. A project outline (500 words max) with a roadmap toward a significant output like a publishable manuscript, code package, demo or prototype, of a scope commensurate with the proposed length of affiliation. The roadmap should explain what you plan to achieve by the first and second thirds of the duration of the project on the way to completion.
3. A motivation statement (500 words max) that explains why pursuing the proposed project matters to you, why others should care about it, what steps you have taken in service of this motivation, and why HAI Lab would be the appropriate place to pursue the project.
4. A trajectory outline (500 words max) that explains what personal success looks like for you on a five-year horizon, an account of what personal success looks like for you on a one-year horizon, and an account of how you think pursuing this project at HAI Lab would facilitate your intended trajectory.
5. Samples of work relevant to the nature of your project (e.g. publications, a writing sample, demos or code repos).
6. The details of three referees (Full name and job title, contact details, organization, expertise type, relationship to you), with relevant recognized expertise whom you agree we may contact on short notice with regard to whether you have outstanding capability to deliver on your proposed project.
7. Copy of your passport and details of any other nationalities held.

Step 4 Once received, your application will be reviewed, and HAI Lab will contact you regarding the outcome of your application.

Step 5 Apply for your appropriate visa and any other required clearances, as advised by HAI Lab. Read more visa information below.

Step 6 If your application is successful, organise travel and accommodation. Applications will be considered after the end of each term. We must receive submissions on or before the last day of term. Applications received after the respective deadline will be considered at the next available gathered field.

Academic Year 2025/26

• Michaelmas Term deadline: Saturday, 6 December 2025
• Hillary Term deadline: Saturday, 14 March 2026
• Trinity Term deadline: Saturday, 20 June 2026

You are advised to apply at least six months in advance of the proposed dates of the visit for all nationals requiring a visa, and three months in advance for nationals not requiring a visa. Please note that if you are unsure about your ability to prove that you do not need a visa, you should apply six months in advance.

Late applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

We reserve the right to restrict the number of HAI Lab members and suitability depends on a variety of factors including our current portfolio of projects. Our intake is highly competitive but a negative decision should not be interpreted as a judgment on the quality of your work. An application does not guarantee acceptance. You will be informed in writing of the result of your application.

Visitors from overseas may need to obtain a visa to enter the UK. In the event that a visa is required, HAI Lab will advise you on the appropriate route, and provide you with documentation to enable you to make your visa application. 

Please be aware that we are unable to assist with any financial aspect of the application process. 

Applicants are required to ensure that they have obtained in advance of their visit any visa which is required in order to enable them to enter the UK under the appropriate status. 

Individuals undertaking an element of research in certain sensitive subjects must obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) before commencing their visit. 

The HAI lab will advise if this is required and you must ensure you apply for the certificate promptly as it must be in place before a visa application can be made. Failure to obtain an ATAS certificate (when required) will prevent the visit from commencing.