Research Associate, FAIR

The Alan Turing Institute; Greater London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Family friendly policies

Employee benefits guide

Job summary

The Alan Turing Institute invites applications for a Research Associate in the FAIR Programme. You will lead a focused short-term research project, developing and evaluating innovative AI methods for trustworthy adoption in financial services.

You will bring a PhD in Mathematics or Computer Science with expertise in RL, anomaly detection, privacy, robustness, or uncertainty quantification, plus strong software skills in Python, TensorFlow or PyTorch.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mathematics, Computer Science or closely related discipline.
• Background in reinforcement learning, bandit methods, anomaly detection, privacy, robustness, uncertainty quantification or quantitative finance.
• Experience developing research software using Python, Java, TensorFlow or PyTorch; understanding AI operationalisation in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Scope, pilot and deliver high quality research activity under the direction of the PI and Co Investigators.
• Drive collaboration with academic experts and industrial research partners.
• Publish and disseminate high-quality research papers and publications detailing outputs and case-studies.
• Work with industrial partners to design and test technical solutions to AI governance and operationalisation challenges.
• Become part of the broader FAIR Programme team.
• Present and explain technical topics to colleagues and external partners; act as an advocate for the programme.

Skills

PhD required

Reinforcement learning

Anomaly detection

Privacy & robustness

Uncertainty quantification

Quantitative finance

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Java

Education

PhD in Mathematics/CS

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Java

Job description

HOURS: 36

THE ROLE

The FAIR Programme at The Alan Turing Institute is an academic-industry collaboration developing an actionable framework for the trustworthy and reliable adoption of AI at scale within the financial services industry. Its research focuses on three key challenges: robust AI assurance, AI-powered financial crime detection, and trustworthy agentic workflows.

We are looking for a talented Research Associate to join our FAIR Programme. The post holder will lead a focused short-term research project of their own design, advancing research across one or more of FAIR’s key challenge areas. Working alongside leading researchers, partner universities and industry, you will develop, implement and evaluate innovative methods, models or tools that address real-world challenges in responsible and trustworthy AI for financial services.

ABOUT YOU

You will have a PhD in Mathematics, Computer Science or a closely related discipline, alongside a strong background in areas such as reinforcement learning, bandit methods, anomaly detection, privacy, robustness, uncertainty quantification or quantitative finance.

You will bring experience developing research software using tools such as Python, Java, TensorFlow or PyTorch, and an understanding of the technical challenges involved in operationalising AI, including generative AI, within financial services. We are looking for someone who can conduct high-quality independent research, communicate complex technical ideas clearly and collaborate effectively with academic and industry partners.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Scope, pilot and deliver high quality research activity under the direction of the Principal Investigator and Co Investigators.
• Drive collaboration with academic experts and industrial research partners from across the Turing and the wider Turing community
• Publish and disseminate high-quality research papers and publications detailing research output and project case-studies.
• Work with industrial partners to design and test technical solutions to key challenges in AI governance, and operationalisation.
• Become part of the broader FAIR Programme team.
• Present, disseminate and explain technical topics to colleagues, external partners, and broader community by preparing and presenting reports, blog posts, organising and delivering presentations, and taking an active role in meetings and discussions. Act as an advocate for the programme’s brand and outputs.
• Continuously update your knowledge concerning AI in Financial Services, including staying up to date with the news, emerging policy, and regulation.
• Work collaboratively with a team of research associates focused on fundamental research in each of the themes of FAIR and develop responsible AI tools and techniques through the FAIR framework.
• Develop documentation and manuscripts explaining research outputs for commercial partners and test outputs on use cases provided by partners.

Terms and Conditions

This post is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31 March 2027. Full-time and Part-time applications will be considered. The annual salary range is £46,000 - £52,494 (pro-rated to working hours) plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

We value diversity of background, experience, and perspective, and are proud to be an inclusive employer. We warmly encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from groups currently under-represented in our sector. If you feel passionate about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, please apply – we recognise that great candidates may bring strengths beyond the criteria listed.

£46,000 to £52,494 (pro-rated) + excellent benefits