AI/ ML Research Consultant

AI/ML Research Consultant

About the Opportunity

A leading UK technology and research organisation is looking for an AI/ML Research Consultant to join its growing multidisciplinary team.

The organisation works on challenging, technically advanced projects where artificial intelligence and machine learning are applied to real-world problems, including work supporting UK defence, security and other critical applications.

This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of AI/ML research and development, contributing to projects that range from early-stage research and proof-of-concept work through to the development of working prototypes and deployable solutions.

You’ll work alongside experienced scientists, engineers and technical specialists, with the opportunity to develop your career while working on a varied portfolio of technically demanding projects.

The Role

As an AI/ML Research Consultant, you will apply your curiosity, creativity and technical rigour to a broad range of emerging AI and machine learning challenges.

You will be involved in designing, developing and deploying machine learning systems, often in novel or resource-constrained environments. This may involve integrating third-party technologies, developing bespoke solutions and researching the underlying principles behind models, architectures and machine learning pipelines.

The role offers significant variety, with projects evolving rapidly in response to technological developments and client requirements. Assignments can range from several months to multiple years and typically involve:

• Analysing the latest research, techniques and developments in the field.
• Generating new ideas, approaches and hypotheses.
• Developing and training machine learning models, often for specialist applications.
• Rapid prototyping and technical troubleshooting.
• Designing and conducting experiments.
• Working directly with clients to understand requirements and deliver high-quality technical outcomes.

Projects frequently sit at the intersection of science, engineering and machine learning, providing both intellectual and practical challenges.

Successful candidates will demonstrate some of the following:

• A strong undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Research experience or clear research potential appropriate to your career stage. This could come from postgraduate study, personal projects or commercial experience.
• Strong Python programming skills.
• Experience with one or more established machine learning frameworks, such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras or JAX.
• Experience across a range of machine learning techniques, or the ability to rapidly learn and apply new approaches.
• A rigorous, scientific approach to problem solving.
• Creativity and an ability to develop novel technical solutions.
• A genuine interest in developments across the machine learning and AI landscape.

The following would be advantageous but are not essential:

• Research or technical experience within the UK defence, security or national security sectors.
• Experience working directly with clients or stakeholders.
• Experience in edge AI or machine learning for resource-constrained environments.
• Experience optimising models for specific hardware, including CUDA, FPGA or embedded platforms.
• Hands-on research or development involving generative AI/models.
• Experience developing AI-powered or agentic tools.

Package & Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Annual performance/profit-related bonus.
• Employer pension contribution of 10% of salary.
• Private medical insurance for employees and dependants.
• Subsidised/free onsite meals.
• Life assurance of 6x salary.
• 25 days' annual leave.
• Enhanced parental leave and return-to-work support.
• Electric vehicle leasing and cycle-to-work schemes.
• Relocation support where applicable.

Interested?

If you are an AI/ML researcher, machine learning engineer or technically strong Python developer looking to work on challenging research-led projects with real-world impact, we'd be interested in hearing from you.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.