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JournoTECH is recruiting up to three Research, Innovation and Funding Associates to support our ongoing projects, deliver technology training, develop academic partnerships and identify new funding and research opportunities.

We are looking for technically skilled individuals who can combine practical technology knowledge with research, communication, training and innovation skills.

The successful candidates will support our existing projects, help us develop new research collaborations, contribute to grant applications and deliver training that makes AI, cybersecurity and other emerging technologies accessible to people without technical backgrounds.

This opportunity is particularly suited to people who enjoy both working with technology and helping others understand how to use it safely, effectively and responsibly.

About JournoTECH

JournoTECH is a technology and training organisation working across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, responsible technology, digital innovation and community technology education.

We develop technology solutions, deliver training and collaborate with academic institutions and other organisations on research, innovation and technology projects.

Our work includes AI-powered tools, digital security, responsible AI, information integrity and applying emerging technologies to real-world challenges.

We work across disciplines and aim to bridge the gap between technical research and practical application, helping professionals, communities and organisations understand and benefit from technological developments.

As we expand our research, innovation and training activities, we want to engage capable individuals who can contribute to ongoing projects while helping us identify and develop new opportunities.

About the role

• Job title: Research, Innovation and Funding Associate (AI and Digital Technology)
• Positions: Up to three associates
• Location: Remote, with applicants based in the UK
• Contract: Flexible, project-by-project engagement, with no guaranteed hours or continuous assignments
• Hourly rate: £18–£20, depending on experience and the assignment
• Work availability: Assignments will be offered according to project requirements, organisational priorities and available funding.

Key responsibilities

1. Research and funding opportunities

• Identify relevant research grants, innovation competitions, funding calls and collaborative research opportunities.
• Assess eligibility requirements, deadlines, funding amounts and the feasibility of applications.
• Identify opportunities through UKRI, Innovate UK, universities, research centres, foundations and other relevant organisations.
• Contribute to research concepts, expressions of interest, grant applications and project proposals.

2. Academic partnerships and project development

• Identify suitable academics, universities, research centres and potential project partners.
• Research potential collaborators and prepare tailored communications proposing research and project collaborations.
• Help develop project concepts, work packages, implementation plans and budgets.
• Identify opportunities where JournoTECH can contribute technical expertise, training, research, technology development or project delivery.

3. Technology training and knowledge translation

• Deliver training and workshops on AI, cybersecurity, digital safety, responsible AI and other relevant technology topics.
• Explain complex technical concepts in clear, accessible language to non-technical audiences.
• Adapt training materials and delivery methods to suit participants from different professional and educational backgrounds, including journalists, educators, researchers, community organisations and other professionals.
• Translate academic research and technical developments into practical knowledge that people can apply in their everyday work.
• Develop presentations, learning resources, demonstrations and practical exercises.
• Support participants with different levels of technical confidence and experience.
• Encourage responsible, safe and effective use of technology through practical, inclusive and engaging learning activities.

4. Technical and ongoing project support

• Contribute technical expertise to existing AI, cybersecurity, software development and digital innovation projects, according to individual skills.
• Conduct technical research and feasibility assessments.
• Explore emerging technologies and identify opportunities aligned with JournoTECH’s priorities.
• Support project implementation, testing, evaluation and reporting where required.

5. Documentation and opportunity tracking

• Maintain organised records of funding opportunities, potential partners, deadlines and follow-up activities.
• Prepare clear research summaries and reports for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Document training activities, project outcomes and lessons learned.

Essential skills and experience

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• A strong technical understanding of AI, machine learning, computer science, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering or a related discipline.
• The ability to explain technical concepts clearly to people without technical expertise.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence delivering presentations, workshops, demonstrations or training sessions.
• The ability to adapt technical explanations to different audiences and professional disciplines.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify relevant funding opportunities.
• The ability to develop practical project ideas and communicate their value.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work independently and meet agreed deadlines.
• An interest in responsible technology, knowledge sharing, research collaboration and digital inclusion.

Experience in grant writing, research funding, academic partnerships, technology training, instructional design, knowledge exchange or collaborative research and development would be an advantage.

We welcome applications from technically capable individuals at different career stages who can demonstrate the skills required for the role.

Contract and payment arrangements

The positions will operate on a flexible, assignment-based basis. Associates will be contacted when suitable projects, training opportunities, research activities or funding assignments become available.

Before each assignment, the scope of work, expected deliverables, hours and payment arrangements will be agreed.

The hourly rate will be between £18 and £20, depending on experience and the nature of the assignment.

There are no guaranteed hours. However, as JournoTECH grows and secures additional funding, successful associates may have opportunities to undertake more assignments and, where appropriate and financially feasible, be considered for future full-time employment.

The appropriate employment or self-employment arrangement will depend on the actual working relationship, and applicable employment rights will be respected.

Selection process

Our selection process will involve two stages.

Stage 1: Application review and virtual interview

Applicants will complete an online application form. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview to discuss their technical skills, research interests, training experience, communication abilities and approach to identifying opportunities and supporting projects.

Stage 2: Paid practical assessment

Shortlisted candidates will complete a paid practical assessment lasting a maximum of one to two hours.

The assessment will be designed to evaluate relevant skills, which may include identifying funding opportunities, researching potential academic collaborators, developing a project concept and explaining a technical concept to a non-technical audience.

Candidates will receive the task instructions and payment arrangements before beginning the assessment.

Selection will be based on technical competence, research and analytical ability, communication, training potential, quality of work and suitability for JournoTECH’s ongoing and future projects.

How to apply

Please note that this role is open to UK-based applicants only.

Fill out the application form

To apply, complete the online application form and upload your CV through the form. You will also be asked about your technical background, relevant experience, training and communication skills, research interests and availability.

Application deadline: On rolling basis till places are occupied

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted regarding the next stage.

For inquiries, please, email: info@journotech.org

Join JournoTECH

We want to work with people who can combine technical expertise with curiosity, clear communication and a commitment to helping others understand and benefit from technology.

If you can work with technology, explain it to diverse audiences, deliver practical training and help turn research and ideas into meaningful projects, we encourage you to apply.

We look forward to building a team that connects technology, research, education and innovation.

Are you aged 14–25 and living, studying or working in Harrow?

Would you like to understand more about AI, digital security, privacy, XR, VR and the technologies shaping our future?

We are inviting young people in Harrow to join the first cohort of the Young Londoners Digital Security & AI Safety Club, a new free monthly community being launched by JournoTECH Hub CIC, in collaboration with JournoTECH.

What is the club?

The club is a space for young people to learn, explore, ask questions, experiment and create.

You do not need to be a technology expert and you do not need to know how to code.

You simply need to be curious and interested in technology and its impact on our lives.

We will explore topics including:

🤖 AI safety and responsible AI
🔐 Digital security and online safety
🔎 Privacy, data and digital identity
🥽 XR, VR and immersive technologies
🌐 Emerging technologies and their impact on society
🧠 AI, misinformation, deepfakes and digital trust
🎨 Creative technology and digital storytelling
🛠️ Practical activities, experiments and collaborative projects

The club will not be just about sitting in a classroom listening to presentations.

We want participants to discuss real issues, try new technologies, work on creative projects, meet people with different experiences and develop practical skills and confidence.

As the club grows, we hope to introduce more hands-on XR and VR experiences, immersive storytelling, AI experiments and other emerging technologies.

When is the first session?

📅 Saturday, 28 November 2026
🕦 2:30pm–4:30pm
📍 Harrow, London

The club will continue monthly, combining in-person and online activities.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you are aged 14–25 and you:

• live in Harrow
• attend school, college or university in Harrow
• work or have an apprenticeship in Harrow

You do not have to have previous experience in AI, technology or cybersecurity.

We are particularly interested in hearing from young people who are curious about technology, creative, interested in social issues, journalism, media, cybersecurity, AI, entrepreneurship or simply want to understand how technology is changing their future.

Who is behind the club?

JournoTECH is a UK technology and innovation organisation, legally registered as The Colonist International Ltd. It works at the intersection of technology, journalism, research, education and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital literacy and immersive technologies. JournoTECH develops practical digital tools, delivers technology training and creates opportunities for people to understand and use technology more effectively.

JournoTECH Hub CIC is a UK Community Interest Company focused on using technology, education, research and innovation to build more inclusive and responsible digital communities. The Hub works with communities, young people, educators, researchers, community organisations and other partners on digital inclusion, responsible AI, cybersecurity, digital resilience, technology education and practical innovation.

For this club, JournoTECH Hub CIC is the community and programme organisation, while JournoTECH brings its technology, AI, digital skills and emerging technology experience to support the programme.

What happens after you apply?

We will review applications and contact selected participants with information about the first session and what to expect.

For participants under 18, appropriate safeguarding and parental or guardian arrangements will be put in place before participation.

Places for the first cohort will be limited.

Ready to join us?

👉 Apply to join the Young Londoners Digital Security & AI Safety Club

Let’s learn. Let’s question. Let’s experiment. Let’s build.

We are excited to announce the launch of a new monthly community for young people aged 14–25 who want to understand, question and creatively explore the technologies shaping our world.

The Young Londoners Digital Security & AI Safety Club is being launched by JournoTECH Hub CIC, in collaboration with JournoTECH.

We are starting in Harrow, London, with the ambition to build a strong local community and gradually connect with young people and communities across London and, in time, other parts of the UK and beyond.

The world of technology is changing quickly. Young people are using AI, social platforms, immersive technologies and digital services every day, but many are not given the opportunity to understand what is happening behind these technologies, the risks involved, or how they can become creators rather than simply users.

That is what this club is about.

Our focus will include:

🤖 AI safety and responsible AI
🔐 Digital security and online safety
🔎 Privacy, data and digital identity
🥽 XR, VR and immersive technologies
🌐 Emerging technologies and their impact on society
🧠 AI, misinformation, deepfakes and digital trust
🎨 Creative technology, experimentation and digital storytelling
🛠️ Practical activities, projects and hands-on learning

We want the club to be more than a series of training sessions.

It will be a space where young people can ask questions, challenge ideas, learn from specialists, experiment with technology, work together on projects and develop the confidence to understand and shape the digital world around them.

Over time, we hope to introduce more practical XR and VR activities, immersive storytelling, AI experiments and creative technology projects as the club develops and we secure the resources to expand what participants can experience.

The programme will combine in-person and online activities. Our plan is to meet monthly, with in-person sessions and online sessions alternating where possible. Some sessions will feature specialist speakers and facilitators, while others will focus on practical activities, discussions, experiments and collaborative projects.

Our first launch session will take place on:

📅 Saturday, 28 November 2026
🕦 12:pm–3pm
📍 Harrow, London, UK

The club is open to young people aged 14–25. Activities will be designed appropriately for different age groups, with the necessary safeguarding and participation arrangements in place for those under 18.

You do not need to be a technology expert.

You do not need to know how to code.

You simply need to be curious, willing to learn and interested in understanding how technology is affecting our lives and our future.

We particularly want to hear from young people who are interested in AI, cybersecurity, journalism, media, creativity, technology, social issues, education, entrepreneurship or simply want to understand these technologies better.

This is the beginning of something we hope will grow into a wider community.

If you are a young person aged 14–25 in London, a parent or guardian, youth organisation, school, college, university, community organisation, technology professional or potential partner interested in supporting the initiative, we would love to hear from you.

📩 Registration and application details for the first session will be announced shortly.

Follow JournoTECH Hub CIC and JournoTECH for updates.

Let’s learn. Let’s question. Let’s experiment. Let’s build.

#YoungLondoners #AISafety #DigitalSecurity #Privacy #XR #VR #EmergingTechnology #ResponsibleAI #DigitalTrust #Harrow #London #YouthTechnology #JournoTECH #JournoTECHHub

A fully funded one-day training programme for young professionals in Nigeria exploring Artificial Intelligence, immersive media, digital trust, online safety, misinformation, deepfakes, and responsible technology use.

JournoTECH invites applications from young professionals across Nigeria to participate in a fully funded one-day training programme focused on the opportunities and challenges emerging from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies.

As AI systems, virtual environments, synthetic media, and immersive technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday life, there is a growing need for professionals to understand the implications these technologies have for trust, identity, privacy, security, and safety.

Through interactive discussions, practical demonstrations, case studies, and collaborative learning activities, participants will explore how emerging technologies are shaping society and what responsible participation in digital environments looks like.

This initiative is funded by SPRITE+, a consortium that brings together people involved in research, practice, and policy focused on digital contexts. SPRITE+ comprises the University of Manchester, Imperial College London, Lancaster University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Southampton and is funded by UKRI EPSRC (UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).

Training Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Increase awareness and understanding of Trust, Identity, Privacy, Security, and Safety (TIPSS) challenges connected to Artificial Intelligence and immersive technologies among young professionals in Nigeria.
• Help participants understand how misinformation, deepfakes, synthetic media, and immersive digital environments can influence public trust, online behaviour, privacy, and digital safety.
• Introduce responsible and ethical approaches to AI, immersive technologies, and future digital participation through practical discussions and demonstrations.
• Create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange between academics, journalists, technologists, researchers, legal professionals, educators, creatives, and early-career professionals.
• Strengthen digital literacy and future skills by exposing participants to real-world conversations around responsible technology use and public-interest innovation.
• Support JournoTECH’s growing work in immersive and emerging technologies through public engagement, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Who Should Apply?

Applications are encouraged from university students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals (aged 18 and above) who are:

• Journalists and media professionals
• Software developers and technology professionals
• Researchers and academics
• Civil society and NGO practitioners
• Legal professionals
• Policy and governance practitioners
• Educators and trainers
• Creative professionals
• Anyone passionate about the social impact of emerging technologies

What Participants Will Gain

Participants will:

• Understand the cybersecurity risks associated with AI and immersive media.
• Develop a practical understanding of Trust, Identity, Privacy, Security, and Safety (TIPSS) challenges in AI and immersive technologies for organizational or personal use.
• Enhance their ability to identify and respond to misinformation, deepfakes, and synthetic media.
• Explore ethical and responsible approaches to navigating and utilizing emerging technologies.
• Engage and network with experts and peers from diverse professional backgrounds.
• Gain valuable insights into future technology trends and digital participation.
• Receive a Certificate of Participation upon successful completion of the training.

Training Details

Location: Nigeria (In-person details will be shared with selected participants.)

Duration: One-day intensive training

Application Process

Interested applicants should complete the application form before the deadline of June 10, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed based on demonstrated interest in emerging technologies, digital literacy, public interest innovation, and the potential to apply learning within their professional or community contexts.

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 10, 2026.

Apply Now

For enquiries, please contact: info@journotech.org

We particularly encourage applications from women, under-represented groups, and professionals working in underserved communities across Nigeria.

Join us in exploring how Artificial Intelligence and immersive technologies are reshaping society—and how we can build a safer, more trustworthy digital future for all.

By Matin Animashaun, Oluchukwu Nwabuikwu

Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling economic hub and second most populous state, faces a mountain of a problem—literally. The city’s waste management system is struggling to keep pace with its rapidly growing population, which expands by about 1.2 million people per year as highlighted by the United Nations’ Environment Programme.

While the state government’s official figures suggest Lagos generates between 13,000 to 14,000 tonnes of waste daily (nearly 5 million tonnes a year), a 2025 analysis by two environmental experts revealed that only one third of this is collected by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). This is part of a larger national challenge, as Nigeria collects less than 20% of the 32 million tonnes of annual solid waste it generates, significantly lower than the World Bank’s estimated average waste collection rate in sub Saharan Africa of about 44%. Experts also expect countries like Nigeria to generate three times more waste by 2050.

The city’s waste challenge is compounded by two major issues. First, the problem of inaccurate data. The government acknowledged in 2018 that the amount of waste generated far exceeded the official figure of 13,000 tonnes per day, and this lack of clear data makes effective management difficult. Second, the issue of poor waste hierarchy. According to a 2022 research article by Kehinde Allen-Taylor, Lagos skips critical steps in the waste hierarchy like prevention and recycling and proceeds straight to disposal. This systemic inefficiency has led to a massive informal waste economy taking over where official services fail.

Waste hierarchy by the European Commission’s Waste Framework Directive

LAWMA and its private service providers (PSPs) have attempted solutions. In February 2022, the state launched the “Adopt A Bin” programme to enhance waste management. This initiative saw 40,000 standard waste bins (green for general, blue for recyclables) delivered to homes and businesses to promote sorting at the source. However, the bins were too expensive for many, and a major issue persists: PSPs are known to ignore low-income areas because these communities are less profitable, leading to “black spots” of uncollected waste.

The Blockchain Solution

Nigeria’s launch of the Nigerian Circular Economy Program (NCEP) in 2024 has led stakeholders to consider blockchain technology. While often associated with cryptocurrencies, a blockchain’s core function as a distributed, immutable ledger offers a powerful solution to Lagos’s problems. First, it offers accountability. All waste collection activities, including those by LAWMA officials and the 364 PSPs, will be recorded on a decentralised database, which will stop private service providers from altering their data and keep them accountable for collecting waste in low-income areas. Second, it can provide accurate data. Its real-time tracking, similar to what the Berlin-based environmental technology company Cleanhub uses, could provide precise, auditable statistics on the volume and condition of waste collected. According to one report, Cleanhub has collected over 21 million kilograms of plastic waste as of October 2025. In Lagos, local companies like Motex Africa are already exploring this technology.

Challenges to Viability

The success of blockchain is conditional on addressing several major hurdles. Cost and scalability are significant concerns. Integrating this technology is very expensive, which is a major factor as Lagos State struggles to meet its internally generated revenue target for 2025. Furthermore, scaling a blockchain network to a city of over 20 million people can be technologically challenging and slow. Regulatory gaps are also a problem, as there are currently no local laws to compel stakeholders like PSPs to fully comply with blockchain-based reporting. Finally, data privacy conflicts pose a threat. Blockchain’s immutability clashes with Nigeria’s data protection laws, specifically the consumer’s “right to erasure”, as residents may not want their waste data permanently recorded on a publicly accessible database.

Ultimately, strong political will, adequate funding, public education, and regulatory frameworks are key. Most importantly, any system must integrate the informal waste workers who sustain much of Lagos’s recycling economy. If Lagos can address these prerequisites, the transparency and real-time tracking of blockchain could transform the state’s waste management system.

London, United Kingdom — Legal professionals from several countries recently came together for a specialised training designed to help lawyers better understand the risks and responsibilities that come with using artificial intelligence in legal practice.

The two-day online programme, “Interrogating AI in Legal Practice: Security, Privacy, and Accountability for Legal Professionals,” took place on March 3–4, 2026. It was organised by JournoTECH with funding support from SPRITE+, a consortium of five UK universities led by the University of Manchester.

Thirty-four legal professionals were selected to take part in the training. They came from different backgrounds and levels of experience, including lawyers with more than 20 years in practice as well as mid-career practitioners. The participants included senior advocates, human rights lawyers, and professionals working in both private and government established from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.

Many participants said the training helped address an important gap in AI knowledge within the legal profession. They explained that most AI training programmes available today are very general and often do not focus on the ethical duties, legal procedures, and confidentiality issues that lawyers deal with every day.

Opening the programme, Elfredah Kevin Alerechi, founder of JournoTECH, focused on connecting AI theory with real-life legal work. She introduced participants to specialised tools that can support legal workflows while emphasising that simply knowing about the technology is not enough.

Alerechi also spoke about some of the risks lawyers must consider when using AI systems, including bias, misinformation, and inaccurate results. She showed how platforms such as NewsAssist AI, Google NotebookLM, among others, can help legal professionals with tasks like transcription of depositions and analysing legal documents. At the same time, she reminded participants that technology should always be used carefully and with professional judgement.

Offering a wider perspective on responsibility in AI systems, Lizzie Coles-Kemp, Head of Information Security at Royal Holloway, University of London, spoke about what she described as a “sociotechnical” approach to responsibility. She explained that AI systems can sometimes create “responsibility gaps” when people rely too much on automated tools to make decisions.

According to Coles-Kemp, good AI governance is not only about deciding who is to blame when something goes wrong. It is also about building shared values, clear accountability, and transparency within organisations that use the technology.

The training also looked at the technical side of protecting sensitive legal information. Rebecca Bird, founder of BixBe Tech, cautioned lawyers against assuming that paid AI tools are automatically secure. She encouraged participants to treat every AI platform like a “stranger in the room” and to carefully check how their data is handled before sharing confidential information.

Meanwhile, Soribel Feliz, CEO of Personal Algorithms LLC, spoke about the growing problem of “Shadow AI.” This happens when employees use AI tools at work without approval from their organisation. She said law firms need clear policies and governance systems to ensure AI is used safely and responsibly.

Participants described the training as a valuable opportunity to receive practical guidance designed specifically for the legal profession. The sessions went beyond simple demonstrations of AI tools and explored deeper issues such as professional accountability, client confidentiality, and the full lifecycle of data privacy.

As the programme ended, organisers reminded participants that while AI can help automate many time-consuming tasks, the final responsibility for legal decisions always rests with the lawyer.

Participants said the training has equipped them with new strategies and frameworks that will help them guide their firms through the growing digital transformation of legal practice while maintaining strong ethical standards and public trust.