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- Tasks: Lead the creation of applied AI research and build a high-performing team.
- Company: Join a leading AI-driven energy technology platform transforming the global energy market.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, generous maternity leave, private health insurance, and a learning budget.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for executive influence and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping AI research that drives commercial advantage in energy.
- Qualifications: PhD in Machine Learning and 7+ years leading applied AI research teams.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
We're privileged to be helping the UK's leading energy technology platform to hire their first Head of Applied AI Research. The energy grid is one of the most complex, data-rich, highest-stakes systems on the planet. You've likely heard of them through their flagship client, who powers 40% of the UK energy market. They process 15 billion data points daily across 70 million households worldwide, hold $500m in contracted ARR, and are expanding rapidly across Europe, Australia, Japan and the US. They are, by any measure, the leading AI-driven energy technology platform in the world.
They are now building their applied AI research function from scratch, and they need a technical leader to build it with them. Reporting directly to the Chief AI Officer, the Head of Applied AI Research will shape the company's AI research agenda, build and lead a team of applied AI researchers, and drive the creation of proprietary foundation models for energy. You will work at the intersection of frontier research and real-world product impact, partnering with product teams to translate research into commercial advantage, and contributing to M&A and strategic technology decisions at the executive level. It is a role for someone who wants to do serious science and see it matter.
- PhD in Machine Learning from a leading research institution
- ~7+ years leading applied AI research teams in a commercial environment with access to large-scale, unique data
- Deep expertise in at least two of: LLMs and foundation models (pretraining, fine-tuning, distillation), physics-informed neural networks, or reinforcement learning
- Experience with agent frameworks, tool-use planning and workflow orchestration
- Systems-level fluency across data pipelines, training infrastructure and inference (PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow)
- CI/CD for models, offline/online evaluation, safety and guardrails
- The ability to influence at exec level and mentor senior technical talent
Flexible hybrid working, ~10% pension matching, ~16 weeks full-pay maternity leave, 12 weeks partner leave, private health insurance, L&D budget, flexible holiday policy.
THIS IS A HYBRID ROLE THAT CAN BE BASED IN LONDON, PARIS or NYC.
Head of Applied AI Research in City of London employer: Higher - AI recruitment
Contact Detail:
Higher - AI recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Applied AI Research in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the AI and energy sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or meetups to meet potential colleagues and decision-makers. Remember, it's all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or blog where you share insights on applied AI research, especially related to energy tech. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also positions you as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company's projects and challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in building AI models for energy. Tailor your pitch to show how you can make an impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’re here to help you land that dream role. Keep an eye on our listings and make sure your application stands out by highlighting your unique skills and experiences relevant to the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Applied AI Research in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for applied AI research shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission to drive real-world impact in the energy sector.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your relevant experience in leading AI research teams and working with large-scale data, as this is key for us in finding the right fit.
Be Specific About Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your achievements in applied AI. We love to see quantifiable results that demonstrate your ability to influence at an executive level.
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 this exciting opportunity to shape the future of AI in energy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Higher - AI recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in applied AI research, especially around LLMs and foundation models. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the energy sector. This role is all about serious science, so show them you’re not just a theorist but someone who can apply knowledge practically.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As the Head of Applied AI Research, you'll need to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and managed teams in the past. Highlight your mentoring experience and how you've influenced decisions at an executive level. They want to see that you can inspire and guide others.
✨Connect Research to Real-World Impact
Be ready to explain how your research has translated into commercial advantages in previous roles. They’re looking for someone who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications. Think of specific instances where your work made a tangible difference.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the company’s mission and challenges. Inquire about their current AI research agenda and how they envision the new function evolving. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the role aligns with your career goals.