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- Tasks: Develop and implement AI technologies to enhance MI6's operations and efficiency.
- Company: Join MI6, the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, dedicated to national security.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, recruitment allowances, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to mentor and influence AI strategy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while innovating with cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development and AI techniques, with a passion for ethical tech.
The predicted salary is between 74624 - 74624 £ per year.
We're MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence.
The role involves creating dedicated teams focused on bringing AI into some of our most mission critical areas, helping develop technologies that enhance how MI6 operates today and prepare us for the challenges of tomorrow. As an Applied AI Scientist, you’ll play a central role in that effort, engaging directly with real world operational workflows. You’ll understand the patterns AI needs to learn and identify where automation or augmentation can unlock new efficiencies and insights.
You’ll work closely with mission teams to understand their day to day tasks, data flows and analytical challenges, and to determine where AI can genuinely improve outcomes. Much of your work will sit at the exploratory edge of technology: prototyping ideas, testing hypotheses, evaluating open source tools and experimenting with new approaches. You’ll build proofs of concept, validate model behaviour and assess how different architectures can be deployed securely and ethically within our environment. Once approaches are validated, engineering teams will productionise and scale the solutions you’ve helped design.
You have experience of writing software at a level sufficient to ensure that your AI work can deliver real operational impact. Day to day, you’ll apply modern AI and data science techniques, from natural language processing and text classification to fine tuning and deploying large language models. You’ll rigorously evaluate model performance, explore agentic and workflow oriented AI, and help teams understand how these capabilities can augment human judgement. Ethical, secure and compliant use of AI is central to the role, and you’ll help shape how we steward these technologies responsibly across MI6.
You have also started to step into AI leadership, contributing to how AI is understood and applied. We’re open to this meaning different things for different people, depending on your skills and interests. For example, you might have a passion for being a role model and mentoring junior technologists as they grow as professionals. Or you might look wider, working with people from other, non-technical backgrounds and influencing AI adoption strategy in the wider organisation. Many people in this role do both.
Either way, you’ll be part of a growing community shaping MI6’s direction in AI. As our capability evolves, you’ll contribute to decisions on tools, processes and best practice, helping us evaluate and adopt rapidly advancing technologies. There will be opportunities to work with global mission partners, attend conferences and stay at the forefront of developments in the wider AI ecosystem. This role offers significant scope to innovate, giving you the freedom to explore, experiment and make a tangible impact on how AI is used across MI6.
Salary £74,624 and recruitment and retention allowance of £6,251, with an opportunity to qualify for additional allowances and a skills‑related.
Applied AI Scientist in London employer: Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
Contact Detail:
Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Applied AI Scientist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with people in the AI field, especially those who work at MI6 or similar organisations. Attend industry events, webinars, and meetups to make those valuable connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects, prototypes, and any relevant work you've done. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the table, especially in a hands-on role like an Applied AI Scientist.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding MI6's mission and how AI fits into their operations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their innovative projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at MI6.
We think you need these skills to ace Applied AI Scientist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI shine through! We want to see how you’ve engaged with AI technologies and how they can make a difference in real-world scenarios. Share specific examples of projects or experiences that highlight your skills and passion.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the role of Applied AI Scientist at MI6. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with our mission and values.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand, so make sure your key points stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application gets to the right place and is considered properly. Plus, it’s super easy to do, so why not?
How to prepare for a job interview at Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really grasp MI6's mission and how AI fits into it. Familiarise yourself with current threats and challenges the agency faces, and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. This will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how you can make a difference.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI and data science techniques in detail. Bring examples of projects where you've applied natural language processing or deployed large language models. Highlight any software development experience that demonstrates your ability to create impactful AI solutions.
✨Emphasise Ethical AI Use
Given the sensitive nature of MI6's work, it's crucial to discuss how you approach ethical considerations in AI. Be ready to share your thoughts on responsible AI use and how you ensure compliance and security in your projects. This will demonstrate your understanding of the importance of ethics in technology.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since teamwork is key at MI6, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others, especially in cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you can mentor junior technologists or influence AI adoption strategies, showcasing your leadership potential and collaborative spirit.