Senior Data Scientist, EME in City of London

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Data Scientist to join The Alan Turing Institute's Defence & Security programme, working within the Electromagnetic Environment team to apply cutting-edge AI and data science to complex real-world challenges in the radio frequency domain. The role combines hands-on technical research with project leadership, involving the development and testing of advanced machine learning approaches, proof-of-concept solutions, and technical investigations that help defence and security partners better understand and exploit the electromagnetic environment.

Working closely with researchers, engineers and external stakeholders, the postholder will lead and support exploratory projects, communicate findings through reports and presentations, and help shape future research in an agile, collaborative and mission-driven setting.

Your Profile

We are looking for a technically strong data scientist with deep experience in machine learning, AI or radio frequency signal analysis and a track record of applying advanced research to complex real-world problems. The ideal candidate will bring strong programming capability, ideally in Python, experience leading technical or research projects and the ability to work closely with stakeholders to shape problem definitions and deliver practical, high-quality outputs. They will be a confident communicator who can explain specialist ideas clearly, support and guide more junior colleagues and thrive in a collaborative, experimental environment that values autonomy, rigorous thinking and continuous learning. A background in areas such as physics, engineering, mathematics, radar, communications, or data science would be particularly valuable, along with eligibility to obtain UK SC clearance.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Engage with scientists from the EME's Defence and Security partners to learn their aims and requirements and understand and identify problems they face.
• Apply state-of-the-art Machine Learning, Data Science, and radio frequency techniques emerging from the Institute, broader academia and industry to problems faced by EME partners, both as part of unclassified EME projects and on partner systems.
• Perform rigorous investigations into new algorithms and applications, providing consultancy to inform our Partners' decisions and developing high-quality proof-of-concept outputs which can be deployed in real-world situations.
• Design and carry out rigorous experimentation and development with some guidance from Principal staff, both alone and in small teams, coaching junior team members and guiding collaborations to success.
• Present, disseminate and explain our work via presentations, reports and workshops.
• Provide technical project management and leadership for research projects, ensuring successful outcomes; Liaise with clients and colleagues to understand and prioritise project goals, balancing client value with research outputs.
• Take ownership of a particular domain challenge area or methodology for the group.
• Develop new projects in conjunction with colleagues, authoring research proposals and agreeing involvement for the group in activities across the institute.

Terms and Conditions

This full-time post is offered on a fixed-term basis for 3 years. The annual salary is £54,612-£62,381 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies.

Security Clearance

Must be eligible to hold a UK SC clearance and secure SC clearance within 6 months of the commencement of their employment, or in such longer period as the Institute may in its absolute discretion consider reasonable to obtain such clearance. Successful applicants will be subject to a Dstl research workers check at offer stage.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value diversity of background, experience, and perspective, and are proud to be an inclusive employer. We warmly encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from groups currently under-represented in our sector. If you feel passionate about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, please apply – we recognise that great candidates may bring strengths beyond the criteria listed. We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition.