Data Scientist

Job Description: Senior AI Scientist (DV‐Cleared)

Location: UK (On‐site, Secure Environment)

Clearance: DV Clearable Required

Contract: Inside IR35

Start Date: In several months (ideal for candidates completing other engagements)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior AI Scientist to support a high‐impact programme within a major UK government department. This role is focused on the development and evaluation of advanced AI systems, with a particular emphasis on Large Language Models (LLMs), agentic workflows, and modern generative AI techniques. You will work in a secure environment, applying cutting‐edge AI methods to complex operational challenges, while influencing the direction of AI adoption within the organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior practitioner who can combine technical depth, research‐grade thinking, and hands‐on engineering—operating with a high degree of independence and responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimisation of AI models, including transformer‐based architectures and LLM‐driven systems.
• Build and assess agentic AI workflows, retrieval‐augmented pipelines, and advanced evaluation frameworks.
• Conduct rigorous model benchmarking, statistical analysis, and robustness testing to ensure scientific integrity.
• Contribute to the organisation’s broader AI capability growth, best practices, and technical governance.

Essential Experience

• Must be DV Clearable
• Strong expertise in LLMs, generative AI, and transformer models.
• Hands‐on experience with agentic workflows, modern AI toolchains, and evaluation methodologies.
• Deep understanding of machine learning, statistical modelling, and optimisation techniques.
• Strong programming skills (Python preferred) and experience with modern AI/ML frameworks.
• Proven experience delivering AI solutions in complex or high‐security environments.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with MLOps, LLMOps, or production‐grade AI deployments.
• Knowledge of vector databases, RAG, and prompt engineering techniques.
• Exposure to government, defence, or national security domains.

Who This Role Suits

• A senior‐level AI/ML specialist who wants to apply cutting‐edge AI in meaningful real‐world contexts.
• An expert comfortable taking LLM‐based projects from concept through evaluation to delivery.
• Contractors seeking a forward‐planned assignment with a delayed start date.