Principal Data Scientist and Machine Learning Researcher (eDV) in Gloucester

Working with a leading National Security and Cyber organisation, you will help develop advanced AI and machine learning solutions that support critical national security missions. Operating within a mature Agile environment, you'll collaborate closely with customers, engineers, researchers and data scientists to solve complex real-world challenges using cutting-edge AI, machine learning and data science techniques. We have opportunities at all levels from Associate, Senior and Principal levels. Roles can be based in Gloucester, Manchester or London, with hybrid working available (typically 3 days per week on-site).

Due to the nature of work in National Infrastructure, candidates must hold an active eDV (enhanced DV) UK Security Clearance.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Data Scientist & Machine Learning Researcher, you will play a key role in the technical leadership, design and delivery of AI and machine learning projects from concept through to deployment. You'll work within a specialist team of Data Science, AI and Machine Learning experts, driving innovative research, developing advanced solutions and mentoring colleagues across a range of customer and internal R&D programmes. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to genuinely challenging and impactful projects while helping shape future AI capabilities within the national security domain.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deliver complex machine learning and data science solutions with a high degree of autonomy.
• Lead technical investigations, research activities and AI/ML development across customer and internal projects.
• Identify innovative approaches to solving complex technical challenges and contribute to future research directions.
• Provide technical leadership within project teams and support successful project delivery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders and customers to define requirements and develop effective technical solutions.
• Mentor and support junior team members, helping to develop technical capability across the wider team.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree (BSc or above) in Data Science, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Strong Python development experience, including machine learning frameworks such as Hugging Face, TensorFlow and PyTorch.
• Proven experience delivering machine learning solutions within commercial, research or government environments.
• Strong understanding of modern AI/ML techniques across areas such as Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer Vision.
• Experience training, fine-tuning and evaluating machine learning and AI models.
• Ability to undertake technical research and apply findings to real-world challenges.
• Experience producing high-quality technical documentation, reports or research publications.
• Previous experience mentoring team members and providing technical leadership.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• MSc or PhD with a strong research background.
• Experience developing and maintaining robust ML pipelines and MLOps practices.
• Familiarity with version control, containerisation and environment management tools, including Git and Docker.
• Experience working within Linux environments and using command-line tooling.
• Experience deploying and scaling AI/ML solutions into production environments.
• Cloud platform experience, ideally AWS, although Azure or GCP experience is also valuable.
• Published research in peer-reviewed journals or conferences.
• Experience writing technical proposals, bids or research funding submissions.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on highly complex and meaningful national security challenges.
• Exposure to cutting-edge AI, Machine Learning and Data Science projects.
• Collaborative environment with experienced researchers, engineers and technical specialists.
• Clear opportunities for technical development, leadership and career progression.
• Hybrid working with locations in Gloucester, Manchester or London.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and excellent benefits.
• eDV bonus on top of salary and annual bonus.
• Company bonus scheme.
• Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution).
• 6 times salary ‘Life Assurance' with pension.
• 25 days holiday (increasing with service) + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days.