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- 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 Slough 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 Slough
✨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 get your name out there. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects and research. Share insights on platforms like LinkedIn or GitHub. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for applied AI.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s mission and values. Understand their technology stack and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for top talent to join innovative teams like the one you’re aiming for!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Applied AI Research in Slough
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 Real-World Impact: Since this role focuses on translating research into commercial advantage, make sure to include examples of how your previous work has had a tangible impact. We want to see how you've taken complex research and turned it into something that matters in the real world.
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 with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Higher - AI recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and technologies in applied AI, especially around LLMs, foundation models, and MLOps. Brush up on your knowledge of data pipelines and training infrastructure, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience leading applied AI research teams. Think of specific examples where you’ve influenced decision-making at an executive level or mentored senior technical talent. This role is all about building a team, so demonstrate your leadership style and vision.
✨Connect Research to Real-World Impact
Since this role focuses on translating research into commercial advantage, be ready to talk about how your past work has led to tangible results. Highlight any projects where your research directly impacted product development or business strategy.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company’s mission and future direction. Inquire about their current challenges in AI research and how they envision the new function contributing to their growth. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role aligns with your goals.