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- Tasks: Explore cutting-edge AI technologies and build evidence-based recommendations.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company shaping the future of AI innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on AI strategies and influence technology decisions.
- Qualifications: 2 years in a technical role with coding skills in Python or C#.
- Other info: Dynamic R&D environment with opportunities for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Shape the Future of AI Innovation. Move beyond delivery work into structured R&D where your technical insights directly influence strategic technology decisions. You will explore cutting-edge AI and automation technologies, build evidence-based recommendations, and help define our innovation roadmap.
About the Role: We are building a disciplined R&D capability to explore emerging technologies, validate new approaches, and feed high-quality innovation into our Product and Engineering teams. As our AI Research Engineer / Analyst (R&D), you will generate the technical evidence that supports strategic decisions. You will research AI and automation technologies, evaluate vendors and tools, build timeboxed proofs of concept in Python and/or C# (accomplished coding skills required, but this is not a "developer" role), and produce clear, decision-ready outputs. This is not a BAU delivery role. It is structured, evidence-led innovation. You will report functionally to the Head of R&D, with day-to-day coaching from the Senior R&D Engineer.
Salary: £45K - £50K Basic Bonus Benefits (25 days holiday, 7% matched pension scheme, private health plan, flexible holiday purchase, remote or hybrid working & much more!)
Location: Remote or North East. Hybrid office work / flexible / remote. Durham, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, etc. Although, we are very flexible to this, so more remote fine. As far down as Leeds or the other way & up toward Edinburgh!
What You Will Do:
- Research & Evaluation: Scan the market for emerging AI, orchestration, and automation technologies. Conduct structured vendor and platform evaluations. Assess technical fit, integration complexity, security posture, cost, and viability. Stay current with LLMs, AI APIs, frameworks, and cloud services. Produce concise evidence packs and recommendation summaries.
- Hands-On Prototyping: Build lightweight PoCs to validate APIs and technical hypotheses. Explore AI capabilities practically (model behaviour, integration patterns, performance limits). Contribute Python and/or C# code under technical direction. Focus: validation and insight — not production-grade implementation.
- Documentation & Process: Own R&D documentation, decision logs, and handover packs. Maintain backlog discipline and enforce stage-gate standards. Ensure findings are captured clearly and nothing falls through the cracks.
What You Will Bring:
- Essential: 2 years in a technical analyst, research, or solutions-focused role. Hands-on coding ability in Python and/or C#. Practical understanding of AI/ML landscape (LLMs, APIs, strengths & limitations). Strong analytical thinking and structured evaluation skills. Excellent written communication — clear, concise, decision-ready outputs. Self-directed working style with confident stakeholder engagement. Familiarity with workflow orchestration / BPMN fundamentals.
- Desirable: Experience building AI-integrated applications. API and cloud platform exposure. Vendor/technology selection experience. Knowledge of process automation or orchestration platforms.
What Success Looks Like: Within your first 90 days, you will have contributed to live evidence packs, helped standardise R&D evaluation templates, and supported an initiative through to handover-ready recommendation. Longer term, success is measured by the clarity, quality, and adoption of your R&D outputs.
Why Join: Direct exposure to cutting-edge AI and automation. Real influence over technology decisions. Clear progression into Senior R&D or specialist AI roles. Close collaboration with Architecture, Engineering, and Product. We are looking for curiosity and rigour in equal measure — someone excited by emerging AI, but disciplined enough to separate signal from noise. Ready to shape our AI innovation strategy? Apply now and help us turn emerging technology into competitive advantage.
Locations
Research & Development Engineer (AI, ML) in Durham, North East employer: Hireful
Contact Detail:
Hireful Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research & Development Engineer (AI, ML) in Durham, North East
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AI and ML space on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio of your projects, especially those involving Python or C#. Share your findings and prototypes online to demonstrate your hands-on experience with AI technologies.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the latest trends in AI and automation. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to structured R&D and provide evidence-based recommendations.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Research & Development Engineer (AI, ML) in Durham, North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and ML shine through! We want to see how excited you are about exploring emerging technologies and how you can contribute to our innovation roadmap.
Be Clear and Concise: We love a good, clear application. Make sure your written communication is straightforward and decision-ready. Highlight your relevant experience and skills in a way that’s easy for us to digest.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to the role of Research & Development Engineer. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially around coding and R&D.
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 innovation!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hireful
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in AI and ML. Familiarise yourself with LLMs, APIs, and the current landscape of automation technologies. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just interested but also knowledgeable.
✨Show Off Your Coding Skills
Since hands-on coding in Python and/or C# is essential, be prepared to demonstrate your skills. You might be asked to solve a problem or discuss your previous projects. Bring examples of your work that highlight your coding ability and how it relates to R&D.
✨Prepare Evidence Packs
Get ready to talk about how you would create concise evidence packs and recommendation summaries. Think about how you can structure your findings clearly and what decision-ready outputs you could provide. This will showcase your analytical thinking and structured evaluation skills.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves confident stakeholder engagement, practice how you would communicate your ideas and findings. Be ready to discuss how you would handle feedback and collaborate with others, especially when it comes to presenting your R&D outputs.