At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative AI projects in cybersecurity and drive impactful funding initiatives.
- Company: Join ARIA, a pioneering R&D agency transforming technology for future generations.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days leave, hybrid working, and a supportive learning environment.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for career growth await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cybersecurity while working with cutting-edge AI technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in security-critical software and a passion for tech innovation.
The predicted salary is between 105000 - 105000 £ per year.
Department: Programmes
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: London
Compensation: £105,000 / year
Description
Salary c.£105,000
Location: Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere
Employment Type: We plan for this role to be full-time, but we’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements.
Contract: Fixed-term, end date 11 December 2027
ARIA is a new R&D funding agency built to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. 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. Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life‑changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role. If you want to help make breakthroughs like these possible, come and build ARIA with us.
Role Summary
ARIA is looking for a Technical and Translational Lead to help drive the execution of a £20m funding call on AI-enabled formal methods for cybersecurity, part of ARIA’s Safeguarded AI programme. ARIA’s Safeguarded AI programme, backed by ~£60m, aims to radically expand what is possible through AI‑enabled mathematical modelling and formal verification, with the goal of producing formally verified artefacts for consequential cyber and cyber‑physical systems. In this £20m cybersecurity call, we will fund teams to build high‑impact, security‑critical software components whose key properties are backed by machine‑checked proofs and tested through coordinated red‑team exercises. The programme is built around fast 8‑week cycles: 6 weeks of build‑and‑verify, 1 week of adversarial red‑teaming, and 1 week of review and retarget. The ambition is not only to push the technical frontier of AI‑enabled formal methods, but to establish credible routes to deployment in real, societally critical systems. We are looking for someone who can help make this machinery work in practice: driving sprint execution, sharpening technical targets and assurance claims, engaging operational stakeholders, and helping teams move toward field trials and adoption. The role exists to ensure the funding call does not merely produce interesting verified artefacts, but moves toward high‑leverage, red‑team‑ed, deployment‑relevant cyber‑defence systems.
What you'll do
- You will work closely with ARIA Programme Director, Nora Ammann, and her programme team to drive the execution and translational impact of the cybersecurity funding call. Your core responsibilities will include:
- Technical delivery and sprint rhythm
- Design and run the operating rhythm for 8‑week sprint cycles (build/verify, red‑team, review, and retarget) across funded teams
- Work with funded teams to drive ambition, technical excellence and precise assurance claims, surface blockers and track progress.
- Coordinate red/blue‑team interactions so findings are timely, actionable, and shape next‑cycle decisions
- Shape and run programme workshops, milestone reviews, go/no‑go or double‑down recommendations, and final showcase moments.
- Strategic awareness and target selection
- Help us continually ask: how can this programme drive the largest possible gains for cyber resilience in the UK and globally?
- Monitor targets and programme strategy in light of AI capability and tooling progress, cyber misuse risk, formal‑methods tractability, and real‑world adoption potential.
- Spot high‑leverage opportunities for driving what is possible through AI‑enabled formal methods, and advise where ARIA should push, redirect, double down, or stop.
- Translation and adoption
- Engage and leverage the UK cyber/CNI/AI/FM ecosystem to ground targets in real operational needs, validate specifications and threat models, source field‑trial partners, and open adoption pathways.
- Help teams turn successful outputs into field trials, upstreamed components, partnerships, commercial routes, open‑source adoption, procurement pathways, or spinouts.
Who you are
We are looking for someone who combines technical judgement, strategic awareness, and executional drive in a fast‑moving, high‑ambiguity R&D effort. The strongest candidates will likely have:
- Technical judgement across cyber, systems security, and formal methods — not necessarily deep expert‑level proof engineering, but enough fluency to challenge fuzzy threat models, vague assurance claims, weak proof boundaries, or low‑leverage targets.
- Strategic taste about cyber resilience in an AI‑accelerated world — able to reason about where AI‑enabled formal methods could matter most, what is urgent, what is tractable, and where £20m could be genuinely transformative.
- Executional excellence — able to drive the sprint cycles, create cadence, coordinate and unblock multiple ambitious technical teams, and keep technically ambitious work moving without adding unnecessary process.
- Translational instincts — experience getting outputs into the world: demonstrations, field trials, adoption, upstreaming, commercial routes, open‑source uptake, procurement pathways, or spinouts.
- Stakeholder engagement — comfortable working with researchers, engineers, red‑teamers, operators, government, funders, and senior technical stakeholders, and able to use those relationships to sharpen targets and open adoption paths.
Qualifications
Experience in industry, government, or applied research working on security‑critical software, systems security, vulnerability research, formal methods or the deployment of cyber‑defence technologies. This may come from a PhD or equivalent deep R&D experience in computer science, mathematics, cybersecurity, systems engineering, or a related field. We care less about a specific credential than about demonstrated judgement: the ability to sharpen technical targets, challenge weak assurance claims, coordinate ambitious teams, and help verified artefacts become useful cyber‑defence capabilities.
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
- Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
- Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave arrangements
- A 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
- An excellent office location in Kings X, London
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don't worry. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to this, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, 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.
Technical and Translational Lead - Safeguarded AI (Cybersecurity) in London employer: Advanced Research & Invention Agency
ARIA is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and innovative work culture, ideal for those passionate about the intersection of law, science, and technology. With a commitment to employee growth, ARIA offers extensive learning opportunities, hybrid working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, including enhanced family leave and a defined contribution pension scheme. Located in the vibrant Kings Cross area of London, employees enjoy a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration and creativity while making a meaningful impact on society's future.
Contact Details:
Advanced Research & Invention Agency Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical and Translational Lead - Safeguarded AI (Cybersecurity) in London
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Advanced Research & Invention Agency, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Advanced Research & Invention Agency
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Advanced Research & Invention Agency. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical and Translational Lead - Safeguarded AI (Cybersecurity) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Advanced Research & Invention Agency insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Advanced Research & Invention Agency that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Advanced Research & Invention Agency
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Advanced Research & Invention Agency to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Advanced Research & Invention Agency.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
