AI Security Research Scientist - Applied Mathematics

AI systems are increasingly deployed in environments where failures have real-world consequences. As a LASR partner and as part of their Defence & National Security team, the Alan Turing Institute's AI Security team works to ensure these systems are robust, reliable, and resilient under adversarial pressure.

As an AI Security Research Scientist, you’ll help advance the scientific foundations of this field and translate promising ideas into practical capabilities for partners tackling complex, high-stakes challenges. You’ll collaborate closely with other researchers, engineers, and Turing partners to make sure cutting-edge ideas land in practice.

We’re looking for a researcher with a strong mathematical background who is excited to apply their skills to challenging AI security problems: many of the skills we rely on - modelling, numerical analysis, optimisation, probability, reasoning about high dimensional structure and designing careful experiments - transfer naturally from fields such as applied mathematics, physics, engineering, statistics, and computer science. Whilst not essential some experience in machine learning would be advantageous. What matters most is your ability to learn quickly, work from first principles, and apply theoretical ideas to modern deep learning systems. You’ll have the support and space to build ML expertise on the job while developing cutting edge approaches to AI security.

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. Details of this are in the Application Procedure section.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Adapt, assess, and extend existing research (from within the Institute and beyond) to understand how it behaves in realistic settings.  
• Formulate research questions that make novel ideas testable, measurable, and actionable for partners.  
• Design and run rigorous deep learning and AI security experiments - from robustness and adversarial evaluations to interpretability studies and stress-testing emerging methods.  
• Generate insights: analyse results, identify failure modes, characterise risks, and evaluate whether a method is ready to progress toward real-world use.  
• Prototype and iterate on new approaches, working closely with Research Engineers and other mathematicians to ensure experiments are rigorous, reproducible, and well implemented
• Translate findings into technical reports, presentations, demonstrations, and early-stage capabilities that inform partners’ operational decisions.  
• Contribute to the wider research community, sharing knowledge internally, participating in discussions, and contributing where appropriate to publications and open-source outputs.
• Able to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and across disciplines with colleague

YOU’LL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE IF YOU

• Enjoy turning rigorous ideas into evidence and capabilities.
• Like shaping the research agenda by identifying which emerging ideas show real operational promise.
• Are comfortable moving between theory, modelling, and experimental validation.
• Value collaboration across disciplines (research, engineering, and partner domain experts).
• Communicate clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Requirements

• A PhD (or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications) in a field with significant use of both advanced algorithmic, statistical, or numerical techniques and computer programming
• Fluency in one or more modern programming languages used in data science. We predominantly work in Python, but demonstrable use of other scientific computing languages (e.g. modern C++/C#, Julia, R, Rust) together with a facility for learning new languages is valued
• Track record of research communication (e.g. publications, technical reports) and experience managing/analysing research data and computational experiments
• Ability to rapidly assimilate new mathematical/computational ideas and apply them effectively
• Ability to lead your work independently and collaborate productively as part of a team
• Eligibility for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is a requirement for this role

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.

Other information

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV (maximum 3 pages, no photo) 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 wish to share links to blog posts, public code repositories or research papers containing work that you have made significant contribution to, please add a link to those in your cover letter.

For questions about the role and the recruiting process please get in touch with us at recruitment@turing.ac.uk. If you would like to apply using a different format, please contact the Recruitment team.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2026 AT 23:59 (LONDON, UK BST)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early or to interview suitable candidates before the closing date if enough applications are received.

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, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute

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.

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Eligibility for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is a requirement for this role. Eligibility criteria and further information on the process can be found on the UK Government security vetting website. Applicants should check if they are eligible for DV clearance before applying to this role.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a pre-screening check. 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. The restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, your foreign connections, and your place of birth can restrict your eligibility to perform the role.

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. Please contact us at recruitment@turing.ac.uk to tell us how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from HR@turing.ac.uk.

Please find further information on the Job Description Document here.