Research Specialist - AI and Cyber Threat Protection

BT Security; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company in the UK is seeking a Technical Expert to manage research projects in AI and cyber threat detection. This role involves leading a team, collaborating with stakeholders, and authoring technical papers. The ideal candidate should have a strong academic background in AI/ML, coding proficiency in Python, and excellent communication skills. The position offers a hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

10% on target bonus

BT Pension scheme

25 days annual leave

24/7 private virtual GP appointments

Enhanced women's health support

World-class training and development opportunities

Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes

Qualifications

• Post graduate with AI Machine learning experience and strong python coding skills.
• Evidence of significant knowledge in AI/ML applied research.
• Understanding industry trends related to Cyber Security.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage research projects, engaging stakeholders and external partners.
• Maintain expertise in specific technical domain and drive research.
• Author thought leadership papers and manage IP creation.

Skills

AI/ML applied research experience

Strong Python coding skills

Excellent communication skills

Experience in patenting

Data storytelling abilities

Concept evaluation skills

Education

Post-graduate qualification in AI or related fields

Job description

Why this role matters

This is a technical expert role in Research and Network Strategy where the individual will apply their key expertise within a clearly defined sphere of technical knowledge to complex business issues or opportunities. The role holder actively engages with colleagues to progress new research in important technical topics and supports the realisation of business value from research and innovation outputs. This role is about managing a small team of researchers and using advanced AI and learning techniques applied to the domain cyber threat detection.

This role is based in Bristol and our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week.

You’ll have the following responsibilities

In this role, you will lead and manage one or more related research projects and activities comprising of matrixed resources both inside and outside BT, including university students and vendors.

• Proactively leading engagement with working level stakeholders across the organisation as well as external partners as appropriate.
• Proactive engagement with the relevant business units to downstream strategic technologies for commercial realisation.
• Domain expert responsible for maintaining expertise in a specific technical domain.
• Responsible for intellectual property creation, managing patent filing in their domain and supporting IPR exploitation where appropriate.
• Accountable for defining and performing research in applied AI and deliver high impact and high value across multiple domains.
• Responsible for authoring thought leadership technical papers, capturing intellectual property.
• Supervision of professionals, graduates and post-graduate student placements and secondments.
• Depending on business needs, may manage Research Specialists, Professionals or other Team members.

You’ll have the following skills and experience

If you are a recent post graduate with AI Machine learning experience and strong python coding skills combined with an interest in cyber applications, we would love to hear from you.

Skills

• Technical domain expert: evidence of significant knowledge and skill relevant to AI/ML applied research (MANDATORY). Ideally with an interest in Cyber Security or Network threat detection.
• Expert communicator: Regularly presents to peers and managers about their research and area of technical expertise.
• Experienced in open innovation: Skilled in patenting, technical publications, conference presentations etc.
• Storytelling with data: strong skills in building the case for change, drawing on data and analytical techniques where appropriate, and communicating this to business audiences.
• Concept Evaluation: ability to spot relevant innovations, horizon scanning, determine relevance for the business, develop an effective conceptualisation and build trials to test the concept.

Qualifications

• Strong academic record in technology specialism with post-graduate qualification(s) (MSc, PhD or equivalent research experience) in AI and ML skills and strong coding experience in Python.

Experience

• Significant delivery: evidence of significant business impact through delivery of research.
• Stakeholder management: evidence of managing project stakeholders across the business at a variety of grade and seniority levels.
• Innovative Thinker: ability to spot and identify new innovations and act to bring them in and capitalise and create value.
• Commercial Applicability: understanding the business case principals around relevant innovations and the real value to the business through value proposition build.
• Excellent awareness of industry trends, future direction and opportunities.
• Self-starter, pro-actively working with minimal guidance.
• Problem solving, intellectually curious, comfortable taking ownership and responsibility.

Benefits

• 10% on target bonus
• BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
• From January 2025, equal family leave: receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It's for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.
• Enhanced women's health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service.
• 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues.
• 2 weeks carer's leave.
• World-class training and development opportunities.
• Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.

Our Leadership Standards

Looking in

Leading inclusively and Safely – I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.

Owning outcomes – I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out

Delivering for the customer – I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.

Commercially savvy – I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future

Growth mindset – I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.

Building for the future – I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.

About us

BT Group was the world's first telco and our heritage in the sector is unrivalled. As home to several of the UK's most recognised and cherished brands—BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet—we have always played a critical role in creating the future, and we have reached an inflection point in the transformation of our business.

Over the next two years, we will complete the UK's largest and most successful digital infrastructure project—connecting more than 25 million premises to full fibre broadband. Together with our heavy investment in 5G, we play a central role in revolutionising how people connect with each other.

While we are through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, meaning we can reward our shareholders for their commitment and patience, we are absolutely focused on how we organise ourselves in the best way to serve our customers in the years to come. This includes radical simplification of systems, structures, and processes on a huge scale. Together with our application of AI and technology, we are on a path to creating the UK's best telco, reimagining the customer experience and relationship with one of this country's biggest infrastructure companies.

Change on the scale we will all experience in the coming years is unprecedented. BT Group is committed to being the driving force behind improving connectivity for millions and there has never been a more exciting time to join a company and leadership team with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion to take this company into a new era.

A Few Points to Note

• Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.
• We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.
• Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement in the Job Description, please apply anyway—you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.