2027 AI Researcher Apprentice - Level 6 Machine Learning

InternHunt; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary during study

Hybrid/flexible working

Pension

Healthcare plan

Tuition fees paid

Job summary

Thales is offering an AI Researcher Apprentice position as a Level 6 Machine Learning apprenticeship with Corndel. The programme combines academic study with on-the-job experience in a UK engineering environment, leading to a permanent role and funded degree.

The role operates under hybrid/flexible working arrangements with a start date of 06 September 2027. You will work with AI researchers and engineers on live research projects, performing literature reviews, designing experiments, building

Qualifications

• Three A Levels
• Grade B or above in Maths
• At least one other relevant subject (Physics, Computer Science, Software, ICT)
• Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above
• Must include English Language and Mathematics

Responsibilities

• Reviewing technical literature and summarising relevant methods and evidence
• Designing controlled experiments and defining clear evaluation criteria
• Preparing data and developing proof-of-concept machine learning models
• Analysing results, limitations, uncertainty and potential sources of bias
• Documenting methods and communicating findings through reports, demonstrations and reviews
• Working with experienced researchers and engineers on live research challenges

Skills

English language

Mathematics

Education

Three A Levels

Maths (Grade B or above)

GCSEs (Five at Grade 4/C or above)

Job description

2026-10-05

Role Description

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Start Date: 06 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Working Schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)

Turn your curiosity into a career. If you're passionate about artificial intelligence, eager to learn, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that combines academic study with exciting on-the-job experience, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits of the programme:

• Earn a salary while studying for your degree
• Gain hands-on experience in a real AI and engineering environment
• Receive job-specific training and development
• Achieve a recognised Level 6 qualification
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
• Have your tuition fees fully paid

About the Role

As an AI Researcher Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge, analytical skills and professional behaviours needed to investigate challenging problems and advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Working alongside AI researchers, engineers and domain specialists, you will support research and experimentation on live projects, translating questions into evidence-based findings, prototypes and recommendations.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Reviewing technical literature and summarising relevant methods and evidence
• Designing controlled experiments and defining clear evaluation criteria
• Preparing data and developing proof-of-concept machine learning models
• Analysing results, limitations, uncertainty and potential sources of bias
• Documenting methods and communicating findings through reports, demonstrations and reviews
• Working with experienced researchers and engineers on live research challenges

What You Will Learn

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain experience and knowledge in:

• Professional research behaviours, teamwork and industry best practice
• Research methods, literature review and development of testable hypotheses
• Statistics, experimental design and reproducible analysis
• Machine learning principles, algorithms and model evaluation
• Programming, data handling and rapid prototyping techniques
• Critical assessment of evidence, uncertainty, robustness and limitations
• Responsible AI, security, privacy, safety and ethical considerations
• Clear technical writing, presentation and communication of research outcomes

Degree Apprenticeship Programme

You will study towards a Level 6 Machine Learning qualification with Corndel, developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to build and apply artificial intelligence responsibly in an engineering environment.

The programme is delivered through a virtual learning model, combining:

• Live virtual lecturers
• Online learning resources
• Self-directed learning activities

This programme covers the full AI lifecycle, from concept and design, through to deployment and governance to provide a strong foundation for your role at Thales.

Entry Requirements

To apply, you will need:

• Three A Levels
• Grade B or above in Maths
• At least one other relevant subject (Physics, Computer Science, Software, ICT)
• Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above
• Must include:
  • English Language
  • Mathematics

Please note that Computer Science graduates are not eligible due to funding restrictions.

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.

To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.

To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.