Data Scientist, Defence and National Security

The Defence & National Security (D&NS) Programme at the Alan Turing Institute is seeking to bolster its research and innovation team working on AI Security. The aim is to further cutting-edge research and engineering approaches to solve real-world problems in AI/ML security, working in close collaboration with Government partners such as select UK universities.

As a team, we bring together cutting-edge research and motivating mission challenges, using our data science, software engineering and stakeholder management skills to create next generation capabilities for our partners.

Your Profile

Eligibility for DV clearance is an essential requirement for this role. Eligibility criteria and further information on the process can be found on the UK Government security vetting website.

Please note that we require you to provide essential information in your cover letter in order to progress your application.

As well as eligibility for DV clearance and a willingness to undergo this process, the ideal candidate would have a breadth of data science experience, ranging from the mathematical to the engineering, and who has a passion for, or experience in delivering real world impact via machine learning applications. Experience in some of; AI security applications, agentic systems, ML engineering, theory of deep learning, cryptographic or data privacy methods, manifold learning, LLM applications, mechanistic interpretability or adversarial methods are highly desirable but not essential.

The role could suit:

• A Mathematician, wanting to solve problems of value to our partners.
• A Data Scientist, looking at recreating the academic literature in software on datasets of interest.

Main Duties

• Understand the problems of the Turing’s partners and develop appropriate approaches to solving these problems.
• Perform experiments and develop capabilities, which might include building and deploying machine learning models; applying data science, statistical and algorithmic techniques to data; building microservices, data processing/engineering systems and platforms or developing user interfaces and/or visualisations.
• Develop, implement and adapt state-of-the-art and novel data science and artificial intelligence techniques emerging from the Institute and elsewhere to problems faced by the Turing’s partners.
• Present, disseminate and explain our work including documenting capabilities, processes, and systems for effective and efficient reuse across multiple domains; presentation at Defence and Security programme events including monthly meetups and wider Turing events; presentation at Partner reading groups, conferences and to Partner stakeholders; publication, support and maintenance of research/prototype software.

Please see our portal for a full breakdown of the role.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 12 February 2026 at 23:59 (London, UK GMT)

Terms and Conditions

This full-time post is offered on a permanent basis. The annual salary is £45,505-£51,241 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. We expect staff to come to our office at least 4 days per month. Some roles may require more days in the office; the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

Application Procedure

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button. It will redirect you to The Alan Turing Institute jobs portal, where you can find more information and a full job description for this role. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV (max 3 pages) and covering letter (maximum 2 pages).

As this role requires eligibility for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance, it is an essential part of the application process that you include the following information as part of your cover letter:

• Your current nationality
• Your nationality at birth
• Other nationality (include dual nationality if applicable)
• Confirmation that you have been residing in the UK for the past 5 years (if you haven’t, please provide details of when and where you resided and the reason)
• Country where you were born.
• County in which you were born.
• Town where you were born.

Please note, if these details are not provided, we will be unable to progress with your application for this role.

If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please email recruitment@turing.ac.uk

Security Clearance

The successful candidate may be required to undergo a pre-screening check prior to an offer being made. This check will be carried out by HMG Defence and Security Partners. Please be advised, by submitting your application you are consenting to this check, and your personal details (full name, date of birth and home address) to be passed onto our HMG Defence and Security Partners to carry out this check.

Many roles in the Defence and National Security Programme require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK or a NATO country depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks, amongst other factors. These roles are subject to security restrictions by Turing’s partners.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can also be made for any candidates with a disability.