Advai
Lead Research Scientist - Real-world AI Systems
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Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Location: London, UK and customer locations
Type: Full-Time, Permanent
The Role
We are looking for a Lead Researcher to establish and lead a new team delivering real-world AI systems work for a major defence customer. This role will lead the technical aspects of an ambitious new programme of work, build the team needed to deliver it, and contribute hands-on technical work.
You will work closely with the 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 make AI work 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.
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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 making 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.
- A strong interest in defence and national security.
- Ability to attain UK Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.
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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 vision, signals, robotics, or agentic systems.
Benefits
- 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.
- Bike-to-work scheme.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
To Apply
Please email your CV to ian.martin@advai.com and recruitment@advai.com.
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