Senior Research Lead — Intelligent Service Operations & AI in Bristol

This is a senior technical expert role in Research and Commercialisation which shapes BT’s future technology direction in Intelligent Service Operations, with new and emerging technologies, extracting the business opportunities that such technologies offer BT. This role is responsible for delivering high quality research helping BT achieve its business objectives. This role is based in Bristol and our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Domain expert responsible for the delivery of world‑class research within the Network Platform & Security research group.
• Accountable for generating proposals and managing novel research projects delivering business value and contributing to the RaC goals.
• Responsible for intellectual property creation and helping others across the team develop skills in that area.
• Manages collaborative research projects or other research collaborations as appropriate.
• Accountable for appropriate standards contribution, industry influencing and direction setting within the area of specialism for the team.
• Responsible for authoring thought leadership technical papers, capturing intellectual property.
• Supervision of professionals, graduates and post‑graduate student placements and secondments.

Skills

• Technical domain expert: Considerable (10+ years) experience successfully pioneering new and emerging network systems technologies, with breadth and depth of knowledge across a range of technologies in the Intelligent Service Operation including expertise in service orchestration and SD‑WAN features requirements capture for feature development for network automation, orchestration and assurance frameworks and toolsets, familiarity with layered service architectures, understanding of VNFM, NFVO, SDWAN, network programming skills, expertise in Cloud computing including OpenStack automation, data pipelines, intent based networking, close loop automation and assurance, expert in service orchestration and assurance, industry standards in particular TM forum architectures, AI/ML expert including experience with LLM training techniques, design and frameworks, experience in end to end service operations, proven experience in researching and/or development in this area.
• Research reputation: World class standing and recognition in the Intelligent Service Operations, authoring peer reviewed papers, generating patents, creating experience of keynote speaking and/or being a panellist in high profile conferences and events.
• Horizon scanning: Detects early signs of potentially important developments through a systematic examination of potential threats and opportunities, with emphasis on new technology and network strategy.
• Story‑telling with data: strong skills in building the case for change, drawing on data and analytical techniques where appropriate, and communicating this to business audiences.
• Business acumen: Knowledgeable in business strategy and the drivers of organisational performance, including people drivers of performance and financial literacy (e.g. business KPIs, business cases).

A degree‑level qualification is required, post‑graduate qualifications are highly desirable. Member of a professional body e.g. Institution of Engineering and Technology (PREFERRED).

Experience

• Technical Domain Expert: proven record of 5+ years working experience in the Intelligent Service Orchestration and assurance, Intelligent Service Operations, AI and ML, Network automation and programmability, Intent based networking, closed loop automation and assurance (MANDATORY).
• Significant delivery: evidence of significant business impact through delivery of research (MANDATORY).
• Stakeholder management: evidence of managing project stakeholders across the business at a variety of grade and seniority levels, demonstrating ability to build internal and external relationships, collaborating both operationally and technically to deliver business results (MANDATORY).
• Commercial Applicability: understanding the business case principals around relevant innovations and the real value to the business through value proposition build (MANDATORY).
• Solution‑focused achiever: Identifies and implements plans to overcome obstacles and achieve ambitious goals (MANDATORY).
• Excellent awareness of industry trends, future direction and opportunities (MANDATORY).
• Self‑starter, pro‑actively working with minimal guidance.
• Problem solving, intellectually curious, comfortable taking ownership and responsibility.

Benefits

• 15% on target bonus
• Health Care
• Car Allowance
• 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.