UCL Computer Science launches venture-focused AI postdoc fellowship
University College London’s computer science department has announced a new venture postdoc fellowship aimed at researchers working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and commercialization, with the first cohort expected to start in April 2026.
UCL Computer Science has announced the launch of a new Venture Postdoc Fellowship, positioning the program as a route for early- and mid-career researchers to combine academic AI research with startup formation.
The announcement was shared via LinkedIn, where the department outlined plans for a 12–18 month fellowship delivered through its AI research ecosystem, including work aligned with the UCL Centre for AI. The program is open to PhD-qualified researchers from anywhere in the world and includes a pathway to spinout creation.
UCL Computer Science is one of the UK’s largest computer science departments, with research spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, and software systems. The department also plays a central role in national AI initiatives and industry-backed research programs.
Fellowship links AI research to spinout creation
According to the LinkedIn post, fellows will carry out applied AI research while exploring commercial pathways for their work. Where a viable company emerges, postdocs would take a majority equity stake as co-founders.
The fellowship is being launched in partnership with a financial services company, with an initial opportunity focused on agentic AI. UCL states that it will retain intellectual property generated during the fellowship while granting an exclusive, royalty-free license to any resulting spinout.
Researchers can either propose their own commercially focused research ideas or be matched to industry-backed projects already developed in collaboration with UCL academics.
Applications are open until 20 January 2026, with a pre-screening process scheduled for February. Final offers will follow interviews involving UCL academics and funding partners, with successful candidates expected to begin in April.
The department says it is targeting researchers who are comfortable writing code, working with large datasets, and building and evaluating AI models, and who are motivated to pursue commercial outcomes alongside academic research.
The fellowship sits within UCL’s wider AI research and commercialization strategy, which includes participation in the national Generative Models AI Hub and a growing portfolio of AI spinouts. UCL reports that AI companies co-founded by its staff have reached a combined valuation of more than $4.4 billion over the past five years.
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