Principal Data Scientist & Machine Learning Researcher in Manchester

This role is within the Strategic Research Group (SRG). The SRG are a team of Data Science, Machine Learning and AI specialists who develop novel AI solutions to mission focussed problems. In this role you will work with high levels of autonomy and be responsible for the design, planning and technical leadership of multiple AI/ML projects. You will help lead and set technical and strategic direction for the group, support with customer and stakeholder engagement and deliver technical solutions on internal and external projects.

Skills and Experience

• BSc in Machine Learning, Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics or related field.
• Multiple years experience of delivering novel ML solutions to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent coding practice using Python and associated ML packages (HuggingFace, TensorFlow, PyTorch), following best practices.
• Experience developing robust ML pipelines with MLOps tools for model training, monitoring and deployment.
• Experience of appropriate version control and environment management (such as venvs or Docker).
• Experience of writing technical project proposals.
• Experience of managing teams. This can be technical leadership and/or line management.
• Experience of leading teams following agile principles.
• Expert knowledge of AI/ML algorithms for different data types and tasks including Generative AI, NLP and computer vision, sufficient to be able to propose research beyond existing literature.
• Experience of training and developing AI models including Large Language Models.
• Ability to produce high-quality scientific writing for internal & external stakeholders as well as academic publications.
• Ability to work with high levels of autonomy, with awareness of appropriate business policies and strategy to dictate your actions.

Desirable

• PhD or Masters degree highlighting experience of academic research.
• Experience of deploying AI models in a scalable way for external users.
• Experience developing supporting systems for AI deployments (e.g. backend databases, front end UIs).
• Working knowledge of Linux systems, using basic commandline functionality (e.g. AWS CLI, Docker CLI, Linux commands like ssh, ls, cd...).
• Experience working in Cloud, especially AWS but also equivalents such as GCP or Azure.
• Research publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Experience of delivering AI/ML projects in defence or government.
• Existing network of contacts across defence and government.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Data Science & Machine Learning using your experience to contribute to the group strategy and stakeholder engagement.
• Bring ideas for novel research that will drive competitive advantage in across our customer community.
• Work with autonomy to develop complex, novel data science solutions.
• Support in triaging and responding to opportunities, aligning to the group and wider business strategies.
• Design and deliver data-centric solutions while working collaboratively across disciplines.
• Technical delivery of research and applied AI/ML tasks on both customer and internal research projects.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple projects.
• Manage more junior team members across the SRG.
• Deliver AI/ML/Data Science solutions to broad range of problems in defence.
• Work with customers and internal stakeholders to determine appropriate technical approaches and do the technical development required for delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, prepared to present and undertake practical demonstrations of work internally in the team, to senior stakeholders and at conferences with adaptability to audiences of different levels of technical expertise.

Benefits and Work Culture

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days (37hr).
• Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution).
• Company bonus scheme (discretionary).
• 6 times salary ‘Life Assurance’ with pension.
• Flexible Benefits scheme with extensive salary sacrifice schemes, including Health Cashplan, Dental, and Cycle to Work amongst others.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave.
• Private Medical Insurance (dependant on grade).

Work Culture

• 37hr working week, although hours may vary depending on role, job requirement or site-specific arrangements.
• Early 1.30pm finish Friday, start your weekend early!
• Remote, hybrid and site based working opportunities, dependant on your needs and the requirements of the role.
• A grownup flexible working culture that is output, not time spent at desk, focussed. More formal flexible working arrangements can also be requested and assessed subject to the role.
• Up to 5 paid days volunteering each year.