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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Innovate in AI and NLP, tackling complex challenges for BBC News.
- Company: Join the BBC R&D team, a leader in AI research and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong ties to leading universities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on journalism with cutting-edge AI technologies.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in ML or Computer Science and expertise in NLP tools.
The predicted salary is between 59000 - 69000 £ per year.
Permanent - Full Time
Job Closing Date: 18/01/2026
THE ROLE
JOB DETAILS
- JOB BAND: D
- CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
- DEPARTMENT: BBC R&D
- LOCATION: London – Hybrid, Manchester - Hybrid
- PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: Up to £69,700 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience.
The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights. We’re also happy to discuss flexible working. If you’d like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there’s no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
BBC R&D is hiring a Senior Data Scientist / Researcher to join our AI Research team, working at the forefront of AI, news and broadcasting. You’ll tackle complex, high-impact challenges - from automated fact verification and contextual language understanding to developing editorially aligned LLM - and see your work embedded in BBC News products, journalistic workflows and editorial decision-making. You’ll join a talented, collaborative group of researchers and engineers who work closely with BBC News teams and partner with leading universities, turning novel ideas into tools for journalists and programme makers at one of the world’s most respected public service broadcasters.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
BBC R&D’s dedicated AI Research team is a group of 25 researchers, data scientists and engineers that explores the use of AI, principally in the areas of Natural Language Processing, Large Language Model research and Computer Vision. This team collaborates closely with other Applied Research Areas within BBC R&D, as well as teams in BBC Product, Technology, News, Archive and iPlayer. We work closely in partnership with world-leading academic groups to help to drive innovation in the research space and accelerate the adoption of AI within the BBC.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
- Innovate and solve complex problems. Apply creative thinking and sound judgment to develop innovative solutions to technical challenges, often exploring diverse approaches.
- Prototype and evaluate technologies. Design, build, and test prototypes to explore research questions and assess new technologies through trials, lab tests, and user feedback.
- Drive impact through knowledge transfer. Translate research outcomes into practical solutions for the BBC or broader industry via operational systems, open-source contributions, or standards input.
- Collaborate across and beyond the BBC. Work closely with internal teams and external partners, including universities and manufacturers, to deliver impactful results on joint projects.
- Communicate and represent the BBC. Share findings through internal documentation, external publications, and research conferences.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
- Advanced Degree in Relevant Field: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Good knowledge of modern LLM theory: Strong understanding of the theoretical foundations of large language models, including attention mechanisms as well as training and inference techniques (e.g. PEFT, KV-cache, RoPE, etc.).
- Expertise in NLP & ML Tools: Hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge NLP models (GPT family, Google Gemini, Claude, BERT) and proficiency in frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Scikit‑Learn.
- Strong Programming & Development Skills: Excellent Python coding abilities and familiarity with software engineering best practices.
- Applied ML & Experimentation Experience: Proven track record in designing experiments, building training pipelines, and translating business needs into technical solutions.
- Modern MLOps & Cloud Knowledge: Competence in cloud deployment, data management, and MLOps workflows including versioning and performance evaluation.
DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED
- Hands‑on experience deploying systems to Azure and/or OpenStack, with a strong grasp of cloud‑native architectures and best practices.
- Proven web application development expertise, from building responsive UIs to integrating complex backends.
- Skilled in managing and evolving large‑scale codebases, with a focus on maintainability, scalability, and clean architecture.
- Collaborative approach to innovation, working closely with Data Scientists, ML Engineers and researchers to translate cutting‑edge ideas into production‑ready solutions.
- Successful academic background, participation in published documents within your area of specialism.
If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.
Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.
Senior Data Scientist - NLP AI Research employer: BBC Group and Public Services
Contact Detail:
BBC Group and Public Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Scientist - NLP AI Research
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at the BBC or similar organisations. Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences related to AI and NLP to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving NLP and machine learning. This can be a game-changer during interviews, as it gives you a chance to demonstrate your expertise and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding of LLMs. Practice common data science problems and be ready to discuss your thought process and problem-solving approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at BBC R&D and contributing to exciting AI research.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Scientist - NLP AI Research
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Data Scientist role. Highlight your expertise in NLP, ML tools, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about AI research and how your background aligns with our mission at BBC R&D. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on interesting projects, especially those involving LLMs or NLP, make sure to mention them. We love seeing practical applications of your skills, so include links or descriptions of your work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC Group and Public Services
✨Know Your NLP Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of modern NLP models and their theoretical foundations. Be ready to discuss attention mechanisms, training techniques, and how they apply to real-world scenarios. This will show that you're not just familiar with the tools but understand the science behind them.
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your Python coding abilities during the interview. You might be asked to solve a problem on the spot or discuss your previous projects. Bring examples of your work, especially those involving frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow, to highlight your hands-on experience.
✨Discuss Collaboration and Impact
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share examples of past collaborations. Talk about how you've translated research into practical solutions and the impact it had. This will illustrate your ability to work in a team and drive results.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to MLOps, cloud deployment, and data management. Brush up on your knowledge of versioning and performance evaluation. Being well-prepared will help you answer confidently and demonstrate your expertise in these areas.