At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead groundbreaking research in AI and multi-agent systems to tackle global challenges.
- Company: Join ARIA, a pioneering R&D funding agency driving innovation in science and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days of leave, hybrid work, and a supportive learning environment.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while collaborating with top researchers and innovators.
- Qualifications: Strong background in maths, physics, or engineering; entrepreneurial mindset preferred.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
Technical Specialist – Cyber-Physical Multi-Agent Systems
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Description
23.11.25 – About ARIAARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.
Application Deadline – 23 November 2025
Department – Programmes
Location – London
Compensation – £70,000 – £105,000 / year
Salary Levels – £70,000, £90,000, £105,000 (offers based on benchmarked experience and selection criteria)
Employment Type – Full-time
Contract – 3 years fixed-term (option for extension)
Role Summary
As an ARIA Technical Specialist, you will catalyse breakthroughs that could change the world. You will sit alongside the Programme Director, Alex Obadia, and the rest of the team in ARIA’s Trust Everything, Everywhere opportunity space – Sarath Murugan, Edith Clare-Hall, Nicola Greco – working on an emergent programme. You will be exposed to every aspect of the programme\’s technical management from design through approval, project selection, and delivery.
What you’ll do
Technical Programme Advisory and Support
- Act as the technical lead, with the Programme Director and the Programme Specialist, to shape and deliver a bold programme of research aimed at enabling AI agents, both embodied and digital, to coordinate with one another in untrusted settings.
- Review project proposals, grant applications, assess technical milestones, and stay close to the ground on what’s being built and tested by Creator teams.
- Plan, lead, and contribute to technical discussions in project meetings, workshops, and formal reviews, bringing depth, challenge, and direction to every interaction.
- Provide evidence‑based technical insight to the Programme Director and the ARIA team to support high‑quality decisions and sharpen the programme’s strategic direction.
- Communicate complex scientific ideas surrounding the programme to stakeholders, from government and funders to key players across the ecosystem.
- Identify emerging trends and surface the most promising technologies, people, and ideas across the programme and its surrounding opportunity space.
- Co‑author white papers, open calls, and technical reviews that articulate the ambition of the programme and set a clear, compelling vision for external communities.
- Work closely with the Programme Specialist and Creator teams to drive project delivery, tracking against ambitious technical milestones, benchmarking progress against the state of the art, and spotting opportunities for research cross‑pollination to sustain momentum.
- Serve as the technical bridge between the Programme Director and functional teams, ensuring execution aligns with the needs of the ecosystem’s understanding of the programme.
Connecting the Programme to the Ecosystem
- Represent the programme, often on behalf of the Programme Director, at events, workshops and talks.
- Build trusted relationships with world‑class researchers, labs, and founders working at the forefront of the programme’s focus area.
- Work closely with ARIA’s Activation Partners to ensure Creator teams can access the right tools, platforms, and networks to accelerate translation and achieve impact beyond ARIA’s direct reach.
Define and Cultivate ARIA’s Technical Culture
- Collaborate across ARIA on funding models, budgets, tooling, and operational mechanisms to support effective, flexible funding and programme delivery.
- Contribute as a member of ARIA’s team of Technical Specialists (T‑Specs), sharing best practices and learnings between programmes to strengthen ARIA’s portfolio of work.
- Help build and sustain ARIA’s scientific and operational culture.
Who you are
Essential Criteria
- Strong technical foundations in mathematics, physics, or engineering that allow rapid learning and adaptation to new scientific and technical areas, comprehending key components of new disciplines from first principles.
- A hacker‑like, DIY mindset; a tinkerer by nature, capable of rapid prototyping and effective red‑teaming. Ideally you have projects to share.
- Entrepreneurial; you understand that impact is more important than accolades and you are willing to start new initiatives and think outside the box.
- Independent; you reliably take a project from start to completion, manage it, set standards of excellence, and ask for help when needed.
- Hungry and ambitious; you push us to think hard and aim for the moon, and you set big personal goals you want to achieve with our support.
- Uncover non‑obvious opportunities and risks, connecting teams, ideas, and research threads in novel ways that drive adoption and translation.
- Communicate complex technical concepts and timelines clearly and with conviction, think and structure with clarity, and interrogate ideas effectively.
- Highly adaptable; you are comfortable with uncertainty and a fast‑paced environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in embodied AI, and/or AI games, and/or game theory.
- Experience in physical‑world fields, e.g. biology, quantum, neuroscience, robotics.
- Practical experience in engineering, startups, or other industry environments.
- AI‑curious at the very least; preferably you have worked with/on AI already, or have thought deeply about AI implications.
- Obsessed with niche technologies, future technologies, and the future itself.
- Creator, with evidence of turning passions into tangible outcomes – company, open‑source project, blog/podcast, or community.
- Successfully performed technical assignments that require unconventional or novel approaches.
- Skilled in identifying technical bottlenecks, risk analysis and resolution, tracking technical milestones, and reporting on complex technical projects.
- Strong working knowledge of the UK R&D ecosystem and how to activate relevant parts of it.
Qualifications
Scientific qualification, preference for PhD in Physics/Maths/Engineering or deep technical experience in listed areas, or similar. AI security, embodied AI, algorithmic game theory, etc.
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave provision, with option to buy/sell additional days.
- Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home.
- Supportive environment for learning and development.
- Enhanced family leave arrangements.
- Free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme.
- 2 days of paid volunteer days.
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Excellent office location in Kings X, London.
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We attract a broad range of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to this, returning to work after a gap, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.
Please note: you will be required, as and when necessary, to travel to different locations around the UK and internationally to support projects, depending on the Programme you are designated to.
ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. You can read our policy here. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle. You can read about those here.
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Technical Specialist - Cyber-Physical Multi-Agent Systems employer: Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
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Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Specialist - Cyber-Physical Multi-Agent Systems
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, workshops, and talks related to cyber-physical systems. Building relationships with researchers and professionals can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Off Your Projects
Got some cool projects up your sleeve? Share them! Whether it's a blog, an open-source project, or even a podcast, showcasing your work can really set you apart. It shows you're not just about theory but also about practical application.
✨Be Ready to Chat Tech
When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, be prepared to discuss complex technical concepts. They want to see how you think and communicate your ideas clearly. Practice explaining your work in simple terms to make it relatable.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Specialist - Cyber-Physical Multi-Agent Systems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your interests align with ARIA's mission and how you can contribute to groundbreaking research.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We’re looking for those strong technical foundations and innovative thinking, so don’t hold back!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us about your journey and what drives you. We want to know how your unique experiences can help shape the future of AI and multi-agent systems at ARIA.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical foundations in mathematics, physics, or engineering. Be ready to discuss how these principles apply to cyber-physical systems and AI. Prepare examples of projects you've worked on that showcase your understanding and ability to adapt to new scientific areas.
✨Show Off Your DIY Spirit
Emphasise your hacker-like mindset and any hands-on experience you have with rapid prototyping or red-teaming. Bring along any projects or prototypes you've created to demonstrate your tinkering skills. This will show that you're not just a thinker but also a doer!
✨Communicate Clearly and Convincingly
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to communicate ideas to stakeholders who aren't as technically savvy, so being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is crucial. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points.
✨Be Ready for the Unexpected
Since the role involves navigating uncertainty and a fast-paced environment, prepare yourself for unexpected questions or scenarios during the interview. Think about how you can connect different ideas and research threads in novel ways, and be ready to discuss how you've handled challenges in the past.