At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build AI systems to enhance cyber resilience in critical national infrastructure.
- Company: Join the Alan Turing Institute, a leader in AI research and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security using cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: Experience with LLM APIs, network security, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45505 - 51241 £ per year.
Building on the successes of AI for Cyber Defence (AICD) Research Centre, the Defence & National Security (D&NS) team at the Alan Turing Institute is developing an ambitious programme of research to deliver a fundamental shift in Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) cyber-resilience using AI. The focus of this new programme is the cyber resilience of CNI, including legacy operational technology (OT) and end-of-life operating systems; both of which underpin critical sectors from energy and water to data operations, but that cannot be patched, upgraded, or modified without risking operational disruption or invalidating safety certification. This role will sit within the D&NS team and focus on advancing resilience of CNI by designing, building, and evaluating LLM-driven agentic systems for the autonomous hardening of legacy operational technology and industrial control systems.
About You
The ideal candidate will have experience integrating with LLM APIs and building agentic or tool-calling pipelines to implement multi-step reasoning workflows (e.g. MCP, LangGraph). You’ll use your knowledge from a master’s degree (or equivalent experience), utilising a range of methodologies to tackle problems set by the partner. You’ll need an understanding of network security principles e.g. defensive and offensive security, this will be teamed with the work you do when you plan and run AI-based CNI red-blue teaming competitions. All of your experience will be needed when you develop realistic virtualised environments with legacy OT/ICS hosts, having experience of this is key to move the project forward. Publishing our outputs is key to the role, so you would have a track record of first authorised or contributed heavily to previous publications so you can hit the ground running – this is also where your excellent verbal and written communication skills come in.
How You Will Make an Impact
- Collaboratively design, build and maintain agentic, AI systems and evaluation suites that support CNI cyber resilience and legacy software hardening against known vulnerabilities.
- Develop virtualisation based digital twin environments and implement techniques for assuring operational continuity in the context of CNI.
- Develop CNI-relevant scenarios with clear threat models, operational continuity criteria, and defensible assumptions; document limitations and known failure modes explicitly.
- Run large-scale evaluations on HPC and cloud platforms, improving performance and reliability through batching/parallelisation, resource-aware execution, and systematic debugging of non-determinism and environment drift.
- Play a role in planning and running AI-based CNI red-blue teaming competitions, ensuring robust environment design and evaluation protocols are in place.
Please see our portal for a full breakdown of the role.
Term and Conditions
This full-time post is offered on a 12-month fixed term basis. The annual salary is £45,505 - £51,241 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies. Eligibility for Security Check (SC) clearance is a requirement for this role. 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.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. 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.
Research Engineer, Agentic Critical Systems Cyber Security in Slough employer: The Alan Turing Institute
The Alan Turing Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of AI security. With a focus on employee growth, you will have access to cutting-edge resources and opportunities to lead impactful projects in a vibrant Greater London setting. Enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that shapes the future of technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Engineer, Agentic Critical Systems Cyber Security in Slough
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including The Alan Turing Institute, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through The Alan Turing Institute
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at The Alan Turing Institute. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Engineer, Agentic Critical Systems Cyber Security in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at The Alan Turing Institute insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to The Alan Turing Institute that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Alan Turing Institute
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at The Alan Turing Institute to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at The Alan Turing Institute.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
