Security Researcher

Darktrace Ltd; Hartford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI cybersecurity firm is seeking a research team member to advance the security of generative AI technologies. This role involves researching compliance trends, investigating attack methodologies, and developing effective defenses. Candidates should have strong analytical and communication skills, a solid understanding of AI security challenges, and the ability to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Join a dynamic team at the forefront of AI innovation and cybersecurity.

Benefits

23 days' holiday + public holidays

Additional day off for your birthday

Private medical insurance

Life insurance of 4 times your base salary

Salary sacrifice pension scheme

Enhanced family leave

Confidential Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of generative AI systems and their security challenges.
• Familiarity with common attacker methodologies targeting AI systems.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Investigate trends in generative AI compliance and visibility.
• Research attacker tradecraft targeting generative AI systems.
• Create and test detections in a research environment.
• Coordinate with product and machine learning teams.
• Provide actionable feedback on product performance.

Skills

Generative AI security understanding

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Logical reasoning

Job description

Overview

As part of our cutting‑edge research team, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the security and trustworthiness of generative AI technologies. This position offers the opportunity to explore emerging threats, design innovative defenses, and shape best practices for safe and responsible AI deployment. You'll work at the intersection of machine learning, cybersecurity, and applied research, helping to ensure that next‑generation AI systems are robust, secure, and aligned with ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Investigating trends in generative AI compliance and visibility
• Researching attacker tradecraft targeting generative AI chatbots and agentic systems
• Creating, validating, and testing detections in a research environment
• Co‑ordinating with relevant development, product, and machine learning teams
• Provide detailed and actionable feedback on product performance

Qualifications

• To succeed in this role, you should bring a solid understanding of generative AI systems and their security challenges, along with strong analytical and communication skills.
• Familiarity with the evolving landscape of generative AI, including popular foundation models and emerging agentic architectures
• Knowledge of common attacker methodologies targeting AI systems (e.g., prompt injection, data poisoning, inference, and extraction attacks)
• Interest in contributing to a detection engineering team focused on safeguarding AI technologies
• Strong logical reasoning and problem‑solving skills, especially in unfamiliar or complex scenarios
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

About Darktrace

Darktrace is a global leader in AI for cybersecurity that keeps organizations ahead of the changing threat landscape every day. Founded in 2013, Darktrace provides the essential cybersecurity platform protecting nearly 10,000 organizations from unknown threats using its proprietary AI. The Darktrace Active AI Security Platform delivers a proactive approach to cyber resilience to secure the business across the entire digital estate — from network to cloud to email. Breakthrough innovations from our R&D teams have resulted in over 200 patent applications filed. Darktrace's platform and services are supported by over 2,400 employees around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.darktrace.com.

Benefits

• 23 days' holiday + all public holidays, rising to 25 days after 2 years of service
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Private medical insurance which covers you, your cohabiting partner and children
• Life insurance of 4 times your base salary
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Enhanced family leave
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program
• Cycle to work scheme