Lead Research Scientist - Real-world AI Systems

Advai; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bupa private health insurance

Simplyhealth wellbeing plan

New team leadership opportunity

Job summary

Advai is seeking a Lead ML Researcher for AI Security in London. The role leads the technical team, collaborates with a major defence customer, and guides research direction and field experiments for real-world AI security solutions.

This hands-on leadership position requires on-site work at customer locations, DV clearance eligibility, and a passion for applying AI security beyond the lab.

Qualifications

• Experience developing machine-learning systems in real-world environments.
• Strong Python skills; practical PyTorch and Docker experience.
• Experience designing and analysing real-world experiments.
• Experience leading technical teams and mentoring staff.
• Ability to work with customers and decide priorities under uncertainty.
• Interest in defence and national security; DV clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Set the technical and research direction for a new real-world AI systems team.
• Build a productive relationship with the customer.
• Design, supervise, and analyse real-world field experiments.
• Lead hands-on research and engineering to improve AI systems on real-world data.
• Build, manage, and mentor a growing team of researchers and engineers.
• Help recruit team members as the team grows.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Docker

Machine Learning

Tools

Python

PyTorch

Docker

Job description

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Location: London, UK and customer locations

Type: Full-Time, Permanent

The Role

We are looking for a Lead ML Researcher for AI Security. The role will lead the technical aspects of an ambitious new programme of work, establishing and running the technical the team needed to deliver it, and contributing to the hands‑on technical work.

You will be working directly and day‑to‑day with a major defence customer, to understand the problem, make decisions about research direction, and design, supervise, and analyse field experiments. This is a hands‑on role for someone who wants to understand and apply AI Security in real‑world conditions, not just in a lab.

You will be responsible for a new and growing team, leading the technical research needed to demonstrate Advai's technology in operational use and advance it through the technology readiness levels (TRLs). The work will show how the technology can provide value in a contested information ecosystem.

The role requires significant on‑site work at customer locations, principally in London, with travel nationally numerous times each year. You must be able to attain UK Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

What You Will Be Doing

• Set the technical and research direction for a new real‑world AI systems team.
• Work directly with the customer to build a healthy, productive technical relationship.
• Design, supervise, and analyse real‑world field experiments.
• Lead hands‑on research and engineering work to improve how AI systems perform with messy real‑world data.
• Build, manage, and mentor a growing team of researchers and engineers.
• Help recruit team members as the team grows.

Requirements

• Experience developing and applying machine‑learning systems work in the real world, for example in robotics, drones, aviation, or other operational environments.
• Strong Python skills and practical experience with PyTorch, Docker and related technologies.
• Experience designing, running, and analysing real‑world experiments or fieldwork.
• Experience leading technical work and supporting the development of other technical staff.
• Ability to work effectively with customers and make sound decisions about technical and research priorities amid uncertainty.
• A strong interest in defence and national security.
• Ability to attain UK Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

Nice to Have

• Current UK Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.
• Experience working in defence or national security.
• Expertise in AI failure modes, including data poisoning, adversarial AI, or robust machine learning.
• Experience with real world AI systems in areas such as computer visionm, signals, robotics, or agentic systems.
• The opportunity to establish and grow a new technical team from the ground up.
• Work with a major defence customer on high‑impact real‑world AI challenges.
• Bupa private health insurance and Simplyhealth wellbeing plan.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.