Societal Resilience Data Scientist / Research Scientist

AI Security Institute
London
1 day ago
Create job alert

Societal Resilience Data Scientist / Research Scientist

The AI Safety Institute research unit is looking for exceptionally motivated and talented Research Scientists and Data Scientists to join our Societal Resilience team.

Societal Resilience

The goal of the Societal Resilience team is to develop an empirical understanding of the harms that could arise when AI is deployed and used in the real world. It seeks to ensure that society is prepared for, and resilient to, large-scale and high-stakes adoption. To this end, the team will establish systems for collecting and analysing big data relating to AI adoption, usage, and incidents. We will track how businesses, organisations, communities, and individuals are using AI, with a focus on emerging large-scale risks. With an empirical understanding of these trends developing over time, this team will advise policymakers on risks and invest in mitigations that support societal resilience in the UK.

We are looking for research and data scientists who will help design and execute novel research that furthers this goal. They will be responsible for identifying relevant sources of data, designing methods for collecting and aggregating datasets, creating analytic tools for processing and understanding the data, and disseminating results through reports, publications, and other vehicles.

The Societal Resilience team is a strongly collaborative technical research team, led by the Societal Impacts Research Director, Professor Christopher Summerfield. Youll also have the opportunity to regularly interact with our highly talented and experienced staff across the Institute (including alumni from Anthropic, DeepMind, OpenAI, and ML professors from Oxford and Cambridge), as well as with other partners across government.

Person Specification

Successful candidates will help us design research and analyze data relating to how AI is being deployed in the real world. This will include consumer AI usage data, measurements of societal uptake and adoption, and AI incident monitoring. This role requires someone who can be strategic, creative, and ambitious. They will be adept at identifying valuable sources of information, thinking creatively about data, and have excellent communication skills. We would be particularly excited to hear from people who have some or all of the following:

  1. Experience of researching the uptake, adoption, and usage of frontier AI in the real world (in both individual and enterprise contexts)
  2. Experience working with frontier model architectures or frontier model training
  3. Excellent quantitative and coding skills
  4. Significant experience of doing technical analysis, especially in SQL and Python
  5. Experience in trust and safety and/or have worked closely with policy, enforcement, and engineering teams
  6. Experience with data engineering, such as building core tables or writing data pipelines (not expected to build infrastructure or write production code)
  7. Have experience scaling and automating processes, especially with language models
  8. Demonstrable record of answering complex questions by bringing together multiple sources of data
  9. Independent thinker, willing to challenge accepted orthodoxies
  10. Great team spirit
  11. Evidence of delivery and dissemination, including presenting data in compelling ways to senior decision makers

Salary & Benefits

We are hiring individuals at all ranges of seniority and experience. Your dedicated talent partner will work with you as you move through our assessment process to explain our internal benchmarking process. The full range of salaries are available below, salaries comprise of a base salary, technical allowance plus additional benefits as detailed on this page.

  1. Level 3 - Total Package £65,000 - £75,000 inclusive of a base salary £35,720 plus additional technical talent allowance of between £29,280 - £39,280
  2. Level 4 - Total Package £85,000 - £95,000 inclusive of a base salary £42,495 plus additional technical talent allowance of between £42,505 - £52,505
  3. Level 5 - Total Package £105,000 - £115,000 inclusive of a base salary £55,805 plus additional technical talent allowance of between £49,195 - £59,195
  4. Level 6 - Total Package £125,000 - £135,000 inclusive of a base salary £68,770 plus additional technical talent allowance of between £56,230 - £66,230
  5. Level 7 - Total Package £145,000 inclusive of a base salary £68,770 plus additional technical talent allowance of £76,230

This role sits outside of the DDaT pay framework given the scope of this role requires in-depth technical expertise in frontier AI safety, robustness, and advanced AI architectures.

There are a range of pension options available which can be found through the Civil Service website.

J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Criminal Misuse Research Scientist

Research Scientist—Responsible Technologies Intern: 2025

Apprentice Assistant Research and Teaching Technician - Engineering - 102881 - Apprentice Grade 3

Research Scientist - Marine Ecologist / Marine Habitat Mapper

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

10 Best Biotech Books for UK Job Seekers: Boost Your Biotechnology Career in 2025

The biotechnology industry is booming, fuelled by advancements in genomics, synthetic biology, regenerative medicine, and countless other cutting-edge fields. With the UK emerging as a major global biotech hub—spanning sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science—there has never been a better time to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in this dynamic sector. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned scientist, staying updated with the right resources can dramatically enhance your career prospects. In this blog post, we present ten must-read books that offer deep insights into the foundational concepts, practical techniques, and forward-thinking innovations shaping biotechnology today. By reading and internalising the wisdom of these texts, you’ll be better equipped to navigate job interviews, tackle complex projects, and excel in roles throughout the biotech landscape.

Navigating Biotech Career Fairs Like a Pro: Preparing Your Pitch, Questions to Ask, and Follow-Up Strategies to Stand Out

In today’s fast-paced biotechnology industry, competition for the best roles can be fierce. Whether you’re a recent graduate in life sciences, an experienced research scientist aiming to transition into a more commercial role, or a skilled technician seeking a new challenge, biotech career fairs are an invaluable opportunity to meet prospective employers face-to-face. A successful experience at these events often comes down to preparing effectively, asking the right questions, and following up in a professional, memorable manner. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how you can prepare your personal pitch, the kinds of questions that will make a lasting impression, key examples of biotech career fairs in the UK, and the follow-up strategies that will help you stand out in a crowded field. If you’re looking for the perfect chance to network with potential employers in the UK biotech sector, read on to learn how to make the most of these career fairs.

Common Pitfalls Biotech Job Seekers Face and How to Avoid Them

The biotechnology sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK, offering an array of exciting career opportunities for scientists, engineers, research associates, and business professionals alike. From cutting-edge gene editing and cell therapy to industrial bioprocessing and bioinformatics, biotechnology companies are pushing the boundaries of science to transform healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability. Yet, as more professionals enter the field, securing a great biotech role has become more competitive. Despite possessing strong qualifications and relevant scientific expertise, many biotech candidates inadvertently make avoidable mistakes during their job hunt, in their CVs, in interviews, and in their overall approach to professional development. These pitfalls can cost you that coveted role—whether it’s in a cutting-edge start-up or a well-established pharmaceutical multinational. In this article, we’ll explore the common challenges biotechnology job seekers face, along with proven strategies to overcome them. By following these guidelines, you can craft a compelling application, excel in interviews, and stand out in a thriving but crowded job market.