Lead AI Researcher

Lloyds Banking Group; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 111,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead AI Researcher to drive AI transformation, lead research projects, and ensure responsible implementation of AI technologies. This role requires extensive experience in AI and ML, strategic leadership, and collaboration across cross-functional teams. The position offers a hybrid work model, a competitive salary, and a range of diverse benefits.

Benefits

Generous pension contribution

Annual bonus award

Share schemes

30 days’ holiday

Wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing and deploying AI systems in production.
• Strong publication record in top-tier AI conferences and journals.
• Deep knowledge of AI/ML concepts and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct research on AI and Machine Learning.
• Set the technical direction for the AI team.
• Manage the full lifecycle of AI research projects.

Skills

AI Research & Innovation

Strategic Leadership

Collaboration

Data Analysis

Python

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Google Cloud Platform

Job description

End Date

Tuesday 09 December 2025

Salary Range

£111,809 - £131,540

We support flexible working – click here for more information on flexible working options

Flexible Working Options

Job Share

Job Description Summary

As a Lead AI Researcher at Lloyds Banking Group, you will be a strategic leader and expert practitioner at the forefront of the Group's AI transformation. In this role, you will lead the research and development of cutting‑edge artificial intelligence, machine learning, and generative AI technologies, guiding their application to drive business value while ensuring ethical and responsible implementation. You will work within the AI Centre of Excellence, collaborating with diverse teams to solve complex financial challenges and create innovative, customer‑centric banking solutions.

Job Title

Lead AI Researcher

Salary

£90,440 - £131,450

Location

Bristol or London

Working Pattern

Hybrid, 40% (or two days) in the Bristol or London office.

Role Responsibilities

• AI Research & Innovation: Lead and conduct hands‑on, end‑to‑end research, developing novel AI, Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI (GenAI), and Agentic AI solutions and patterns.
• Strategic Leadership: Set the technical direction and research roadmap for the AI team, translating complex business challenges and opportunities into a clear vision for AI development. Your work will inform the Group's AI strategy and advance its capabilities.
• Project Execution: Lead the full lifecycle of AI research projects, from formulating problems, ideation, proposing hypotheses, developing new algorithms/models to experimentations to validating outcomes and publishing results, ensuring high‑quality impactful outcomes.
• Collaboration: Lead and work within cross‑functional teams comprising of product managers, data scientists, ML/AI engineers, and business leaders. Lead research partnerships with key academic partners and fintechs.
• Thought Leadership & Communication: Act as a subject matter expert, present research findings at conferences and publish papers to advance the field. You will communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Team Mentorship: Coach and mentor junior AI researchers and engineers, helping to grow team capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity.
• Responsible AI Governance: Partner with the Responsible AI team to embed robust ethical principles, bias mitigation techniques, and regulatory compliance into all AI development workflows.

About us

We’re on an exciting journey and there couldn’t be a better time to join us. The investments we’re making in our people, data, and technology are leading to innovative projects, fresh possibilities, and countless new ways for our people to work, learn, and thrive.

What you’ll need

• Extensive experience developing and deploying AI systems and machine learning models in a production environment.
• Demonstrable experience in AI research, with a strong publication record in top‑tier conferences and journals.
• Master’s or PhD (preferred) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or relevant STEM field.
• Deep knowledge of AI/ML concepts, algorithms, and techniques, including Generative AI, Agentic AI and reinforcement learning.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages, particularly Python.
• Expertise in AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch/TensorFlow, Scikit‑learn, Statsmodels, LangGraph and ADK.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (preferably Google Cloud Platform and Vertex AI).
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and complex problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with the ability to convey business information from technical subject matter.
• A high degree of ethical awareness, with an understanding of AI ethics, risk mitigation, and bias detection.
• Adaptability and a passion for continuous learning to keep up with the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

About working for us

Our focus is to ensure we're inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms.

We want our people to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity or culture.

We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative.

And it’s why we especially welcome applications from under‑represented groups.

We’re disability confident. So, if you’d like reasonable adjustments to be made to our recruitment processes, just let us know.

We also offer a wide‑ranging benefits package, which includes:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
• An annual bonus award, subject to Group performance
• Share schemes including free shares
• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
• 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top
• A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies

Want to do amazing work, that’s interesting and makes a difference to millions of people? Join our journey.

At Lloyds Banking Group, we're driven by a clear purpose; to help Britain prosper. Across the Group, our colleagues are focused on making a difference to customers, businesses and communities. With us you'll have a key role to play in shaping the financial services of the future, whilst the scale and reach of our Group means you'll have many opportunities to learn, grow and develop.

We keep your data safe. So, we'll only ever ask you to provide confidential or sensitive information once you have formally been invited along to an interview or accepted a verbal offer to join us which is when we run our background checks. We'll always explain what we need and why, with any request coming from a trusted Lloyds Banking Group person.

We're focused on creating a values‑led culture and are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve. Together we’re building a truly inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.