Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of applied AI research and build a high-impact team.
- Company: Join a leading AI-driven energy technology platform transforming the energy grid.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, flexible working, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Hybrid role based in London, Paris, or NYC with global opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of energy with cutting-edge AI research and real-world impact.
- Qualifications: PhD in Machine Learning and 7+ years in applied AI research leadership.
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. Our client has built the operating system for it. 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.
THE ROLE
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. This is not a publications role. It is a role for someone who wants to do serious science and see it matter.
WHAT YOU BRING
- 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)
- Strong MLOps discipline: CI/CD for models, offline/online evaluation, safety and guardrails
- The ability to influence at exec level and mentor senior technical talent
- Energy domain experience is a nice-to-have, not a requirement.
WHAT'S ON OFFER
- Base salary £200,000 - £300,000
- Significant equity package
- 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. WE ARE HAPPY TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM FOREIGN CANDIDATES WHO MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS.
ABOUT HIGHER
Higher is a specialist AI executive search firm. We work exclusively with companies building at the frontier of AI and deep tech. This search is being conducted confidentially on behalf of our client. To be considered, please apply or reach out directly to Kelly Gauthier.
Head of Applied AI Research in 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 London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the energy tech and AI fields on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a portfolio showcasing your applied AI projects, especially those that demonstrate real-world impact. This will help you stand out when chatting with potential employers and show them you mean business.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on the latest trends in AI and energy technology. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around building teams and driving research agendas. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re here to support you throughout the process, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Applied AI Research in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of Applied AI Research. Highlight your experience in leading applied AI research teams and any relevant projects that showcase your expertise in LLMs, foundation models, or reinforcement learning.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for applied AI research and how you plan to shape the company's AI research agenda. Don't forget to mention your leadership style and how you can mentor senior technical talent.
Showcase Your Impact: In both your CV and cover letter, focus on the impact you've made in previous roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your work has translated research into commercial advantage, especially in complex data environments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and you can easily track your progress!
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, especially around LLMs and foundation models. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the energy sector, even if you don't have direct experience. This shows you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Head of Applied AI Research, you'll need to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in high-stakes environments. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you've influenced decision-making at an executive level.
✨Connect Research to Real-World Impact
This role is all about translating research into commercial advantage. Be ready to discuss how your research has led to tangible outcomes in previous roles. Think about specific instances where your work made a difference and be prepared to share those stories.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's vision for applied AI research and how it fits into their broader strategy. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.