Machine Learning Research Scientist

The Opportunity Hub UK Ltd; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range

Hybrid Cardiff

Private medical + pension

Flexible annual leave

Career progression

Job summary

The Opportunity Hub UK Ltd in Cardiff is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist to shape AI technology and production systems. You will sit where theory meets shipped products, guiding experimentation and decision-making across the team.

You’ll mentor junior researchers, design robust pipelines, and present findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders while influencing technical direction.

Qualifications

• A strong track record in machine learning research, ideally with published work or shipped models to point to.
• Fluency in Python and at least one major deep learning framework (PyTorch or TensorFlow).
• Solid grounding in statistics and experimental design to assess real results.
• Experience taking a model from notebook to production, including the unglamorous parts.
• The judgement to say 'this won't work' early, with clear explanations.

Responsibilities

• Design and run experiments that test new model architectures against real business problems.
• Turn promising research ideas into production-ready systems, working closely with engineering.
• Read and critically assess new papers, then decide which ideas are worth pursuing.
• Build and maintain training pipelines, evaluation frameworks, and datasets that hold up under scrutiny.
• Present findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including limitations.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers on method, not just output.

Skills

Machine learning research

Python

Production-ready ML

Mentoring

Communication

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

An exceptional opportunity for a senior Machine Learning Research Scientist to shape the future of AI & Technology in Cardiff.

AI & Technology firms across the UK are racing to turn research into products people actually use, and Cardiff has quietly become one of the places where that work happens well. This SME, an established but growing name in the sector, has built its reputation on doing the research properly rather than chasing headlines. They need a Machine Learning Research Scientist who can sit at the point where theory meets shipped product and make good decisions there.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Design and run experiments that test new model architectures against real business problems, not just benchmarks
• Take promising research ideas and turn them into production-ready systems, working closely with engineering
• Read and critically assess new papers, then decide which ideas are worth the team's time
• Build and maintain training pipelines, evaluation frameworks, and datasets that hold up under scrutiny
• Present findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including where the approach falls short
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers on method, not just output

Here are the skills you’ll need:

• A strong track record in machine learning research, ideally with published work or shipped models to point to
• Fluency in Python and at least one major deep learning framework (PyTorch or TensorFlow)
• Solid grounding in statistics and experimental design, so you know when a result is real
• Experience taking a model from notebook to production, including the unglamorous parts
• The judgement to say "this won't work" early, and the communication skills to explain why
• Comfort working in a senior role with real autonomy, inside a structured but flexible team

Key perks and benefits:

• £60,000 to £94,500, depending on experience, plus a bonus scheme
• Hybrid working, based in Cardiff with flexibility on office days
• Private medical insurance and a solid pension contribution
• Annual leave that supports genuine flexible working, not just a policy on paper
• Defined career progression within a company that's still growing into its next stage

Why pursue a career in AI & Technology?

AI & Technology isn't slowing down, and the researchers who can bridge academic thinking with practical delivery are in short supply. Cardiff has built a genuine cluster of talent in this space, with lower costs and less noise than London, which means the work speaks louder than the postcode. A senior Machine Learning Research Scientist who gets in now has room to shape both the technical direction and the team around them.

This Machine Learning Research Scientist opportunity is brought to you by The Opportunity Hub UK.