Lead Data Scientist - Public Sector (security cleared)

Kainos; Belfast; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kainos in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to architect, design, and deliver advanced AI solutions using state-of-the-art ML, generative, and agentic AI technologies. You will lead a small team, mentor staff, and collaborate with clients to translate complex business challenges into trustworthy AI outcomes.

The role emphasizes responsible AI practices, adoption of modern AI frameworks, and cloud-native architectures, with opportunities to shape strategy and drive innovation

Qualifications

• Degree 2.1 in CS/AI/Data Science or similar field.
• Proven ability to develop AI/ML models incl time series, supervised/unsupervised, RL, and LLMs.
• Experience with prompt engineering, RAG, and agentic AI.
• Strong Python with software engineering practices (CI/CD, testing, code reviews).
• Data engineering for AI with large-scale, unstructured/multimodal data.
• Understanding of responsible AI, interpretability, and ethics.
• Ability to lead client projects and translate requirements in non-technical language.
• Experience coaching/developing junior team members and communities.
• Active UK Government Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design and deliver advanced AI solutions for clients.
• Drive adoption of modern AI frameworks, AIOps, and scalable cloud-native architectures.
• Collaborate with clients to translate business challenges into trustworthy AI results.
• Provide technical mentorship and manage a small team.
• Ensure responsible AI practices and governance across projects.

Skills

Python

ML modeling

Data engineering

Leadership

Security clearance

Communication

Ethical AI

RAG / prompt engineering

Education

2.1 degree in CS/AI/Data Science

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

We are looking for a Lead Data Scientist to architect, design, and deliver advanced AI solutions leveraging state‑of‑the‑art machine learning, generative, and agentic AI technologies. The role includes driving adoption of modern AI frameworks, AIOps best practices, and scalable cloud‑native architectures; collaborating with clients to translate business challenges into trustworthy AI solutions; ensuring responsible AI practices; providing technical mentorship; and managing a small team of staff.

Minimum (essential) Requirements

• A minimum of a 2.1 degree in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Statistics or a similar quantitative field.
• Deep understanding and experience in developing AI/ML models, including time series, supervised/unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning and LLMs.
• Experience with the latest AI engineering approaches such as prompt engineering, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG), and agentic AI.
• Strong Python skills with grounding in software engineering best practices (CI/CD, testing, code reviews, etc.).
• Expertise in data engineering for AI: handling large‑scale, unstructured, and multimodal data.
• Understanding of responsible AI principles, model interpretability, and ethical considerations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead client projects and establish requirements in non‑technical language.
• Passionate about developing people, with experience in managing, coaching, and developing junior team members and the wider community.
• Must have active UK Government Security Clearance.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience with modern deep learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow) and fine‑tuning or distillation of LLMs (e.g., GPT, Llama, Claude, Gemini).
• Experience with data storage for AI, vector databases, semantic search, and knowledge graphs.
• Contributions to open‑source AI projects or research publications.
• Familiarity with AI security, privacy, and compliance standards (e.g. ISO42001).

Embracing Our Differences

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team. Everyone is valued and respected, and we provide accommodations when needed to ensure a level playing field for all candidates.