Research Assistant, Applied Research Group (ARG) in London

The Defence & National Security (D&NS) theme at the Turing is looking to expand its Applied Research Group (ARG). As a team, ARG applies cutting edge research to real‑world problems. The ARG is a cross‑disciplinary team – therefore able to respond to a wide variety of problem sets. The team practices an agile experiment‑driven approach and values a positive, supportive and collaborative environment in which ‘radical candour’ and ‘lifelong learning’ are encouraged. We see failure as a learning opportunity and necessary precursor to success and are empowered to take ownership of our work and operate with a high level of autonomy in our roles. We are looking for a like-minded individual to join our team and make a measurable impact to our partners!

Your Profile

Please note that successful candidates will need to be eligible to undertake the DV clearance process once in‑post and be willing to go through this process. Eligibility criteria and further information on the process can be found on the UK Government security vetting website. We request specific information to be included when applying in the cover letter. Our portal goes through this in more detail so please take note of this when applying, or we may not be able to process your application.

In terms of the ideal candidate, we encourage applications from both generalists and specialists including those who self‑identify as statisticians, software engineers, machine learning practitioners, data scientists or data engineers. You will have demonstrable experience in machine learning and be able to take initiative and carry out research independently. We are looking for candidates with experience in some of the following languages: Python, C, C++, Rust, Go. As well as the relevant technical experience successful candidates will have excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to clearly communicate complex or specialist information clearly and concisely.

Main Duties

• Develop, implement and adapt state‑of‑the‑art and novel data science and machine learning techniques to problems faced by ARG's partners.
• Contribute to high‑quality collaborative applied research as part of the ARG, helping translate complex user requirements into deployable solutions.
• 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 visualisations.
• Perform rigorous investigations into new algorithms and applications, providing consultancy to inform partners’ decisions and developing high‑quality proof‑of‑concept outputs for real‑world deployment.

Terms and Conditions

This post is offered on a full time, fixed‑term basis until 30 April 2027. The annual salary is £42,593 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies. The role is based in London and will require some travel to partner‑sites.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: SUNDAY 19 APRIL AT 23:59 (LONDON, UK BST)

Application Procedure

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. 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 and covering letter. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST INCLUDE SPECIFIC INFORMATION IN YOUR COVER LETTER IN ORDER FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED.

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.

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.