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- Tasks: Lead groundbreaking AI projects and shape the future of technology.
- Company: Join ARIA, a pioneering R&D agency transforming lives through innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work, generous leave, and professional growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI advancements and make a real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Expertise in formal methods or programming language theory is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with a focus on collaboration and learning.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 105000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 3 May 2026
Department: Programmes
Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time
Location: London
Compensation: £70,000 − £105,000 / year
Salary Levels: c.£70,000, c.£90,000, c.£105,000 (eventual offers will be based on benchmarked experience levels in combination with our selection criteria)
Location: Kings X, London; Tues – Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere
Contract: Permanent
Description
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.
Role Summary
As an ARIA Technical Specialist, you will have the rare chance to catalyse breakthroughs that could change the world. You will sit alongside Programme Director Nora Ammann and their Programme Specialist on ARIA's Safeguarded AI programme. You’ll be exposed to every aspect of the programme's technical management, delivery, and Creator experience; acting as a thought partner for technical and strategic programmatic decisions, and community building.
What you will do
- Technical Programme Advisory and Support: Act as the technical lead, with the Programme Director and their Programme Specialist, to shape and deliver a bold programme of research aimed at demonstrating the transformative potential of AI‑enabled formal methods and catalysing a new era of machine‑assisted mathematical modelling and verification.
- 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.
- Confidently 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 research, 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.
- Be the technical bridge between the PD 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, with or 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:
- You have first‑hand research or engineering expertise in formal methods or programming language theory, including for example type theory, proof assistants, or formal models of security.
- You actively use AI tools in your technical work (including for mathematics, programming, or research) and have developed informed views on their capabilities and failure modes.
- You excel in grasping and navigating diverse technical projects.
- You can uncover non‑obvious (technical) opportunities and risks, connecting people, ideas, and research threads in novel ways that drive insights, adoption and translation.
- You are willing to ask questions and can rapidly learn and adapt to new scientific areas, comprehending key components of new technical disciplines.
- You comprehend and articulate complex concepts clearly and with conviction to diverse stakeholders, think and communicate with structure, and interrogate ideas effectively.
- Highly adaptable, you are okay with uncertainty and a fast‑paced environment.
Desirable Criteria:
- You have experience in information or cybersecurity, or familiarity with security‑relevant formal properties.
- You have familiarity with category theory, including its applications to compositional systems modelling, or to the semantics of type theory and proof assistants.
- You have experience building, coordinating, or driving the adoption of software toolkits.
- You are skilled in identifying technical bottlenecks, risk analysis and resolution, tracking technical milestones, and reporting on complex technical projects.
- You have a strong working knowledge of the UK R&D ecosystem.
Qualifications: You have a Scientific qualification, with a preference for PhD or other deep technical experience in computer science.
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. ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility.
Technical Specialist - AI / Computer Science employer: Advanced Research & Invention Agency
Contact Detail:
Advanced Research & Invention Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Specialist - AI / Computer Science
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, and meetups to connect with people in the AI and computer science space. You never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do and how you think.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you feel more confident and ready to tackle any challenge thrown your way.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the tech world. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Specialist - AI / Computer Science
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Technical Specialist role. Highlight your experience in formal methods or programming language theory, and show how your skills align with ARIA's mission to catalyse breakthroughs in AI.
Show Your Passion: In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity! Share your thoughts on how AI can transform society and what unique insights you bring to the table. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain complex ideas, as you’ll need to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advanced Research & Invention Agency
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of formal methods and programming language theory. Be ready to discuss specific projects or research you've been involved in, especially those that relate to AI tools and their applications. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them practically.
✨Show Your Adaptability
The role requires someone who can thrive in a fast-paced environment. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you had to adapt quickly to new challenges or learn new technologies. This will demonstrate your ability to handle uncertainty and change, which is crucial for this position.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex ideas to various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts on technical topics in a clear and structured way. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your communication skills and ensure you can convey your insights effectively.
✨Engage with the Ecosystem
Familiarise yourself with ARIA’s mission and the broader UK R&D ecosystem. Be prepared to discuss how you can build relationships with researchers and creators. Showing that you understand the landscape and can connect with key players will set you apart as a candidate who can truly contribute to the programme.