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AI Research Scientist Jobs

Experts who push the boundaries of AI through cutting-edge research and experimentation. A role at the heart of technological innovation.

Open roles
17
Salary range
£68k – £260k
Hiring companies
9
View 17 live roles → Get an alert

AI Research Scientists are the driving force behind the development of new AI technologies. They work on fundamental research, developing algorithms and models that can solve complex problems. These roles are typically found in universities, research institutions, and tech companies with a strong focus on AI, such as scaleups and the larger consultancies. The work is highly collaborative, often involving interdisciplinary teams and cutting-edge computational resources.

What the role does

Inside the role of an AI Research Scientist

A typical week is a mix of theoretical research, experimentation, and collaboration with other experts.

  1. 01
    Conduct literature reviews to stay updated on the latest research.
  2. 02
    Design and implement experiments to test new algorithms.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate findings.
  4. 04
    Write and publish research papers or technical reports.
  5. 05
    Attend conferences and workshops to share and learn from the community.
Salary on the board

£68k – £260k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 5 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
7% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 20 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Machine Learning
90%
PyTorch
65%
Python
60%
Deep Learning
40%
Computer Vision
30%
TensorFlow
25%
JAX
25%
Generative Models
25%
3D Computer Graphics
20%
Neural Rendering
20%
3D Reconstruction
20%
C/C++
20%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for ai research scientists. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Research Scientist

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in research projects, perform data analysis, and contribute to experimental design.

  2. Level 2

    Research Scientist

    2–5 yrs

    Lead specific research projects, develop new algorithms, and mentor junior team members.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Research Scientist

    5–10 yrs

    Oversee multiple research initiatives, publish significant findings, and influence the direction of the field.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Research Scientist

    10+ yrs

    Drive strategic research initiatives, collaborate with leading institutions, and shape the future of AI.

Pathway

How to become a AI Research Scientist

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Academic Foundation

    Complete a PhD in AI, machine learning, or a related field to build a strong theoretical foundation.

  2. 2

    Early Research Experience

    Gain practical experience through internships or postdoctoral positions in research labs or tech companies.

  3. 3

    Publishing and Networking

    Publish research papers in top-tier journals and conferences, and build a network of collaborators.

  4. 4

    Leading Projects

    Take on leadership roles in research projects, managing teams and budgets.

  5. 5

    Strategic Influence

    Influence the strategic direction of research programs and contribute to the broader AI community.

Live jobs

17 live roles

See all 17 roles →

Research Scientist

This role involves conducting original research in AI safety, focusing on interpretability and behavioral analysis of transformer-based large language models. You'll design and run experiments, develop reproducible research tooling in Python with PyTorch, and translate technical findings for government, frontier labs, and national security partners. The position emphasizes scientific rigor, collaboration with senior researchers, and contributing to emerging AI safety standards.

Faculty London, United Kingdom
Permanent
Adecco logo

Research Scientist/Engineer - General Decision & Control Agent

This role involves advancing autonomous AI agent systems with a focus on long-term reasoning, memory, self-improvement, and reinforcement learning. The researcher will design scalable memory architectures, develop self-evolving agent capabilities, and contribute to novel research in agentic RL and LLM-based reasoning. Work is conducted in a high-impact research environment with publication and innovation as core goals.

Adecco London, City And County Of the City Of London, United Kingdom £100,000 – £180,000 pa
Wayve logo

Research Scientist, Wayve Labs

This role involves advancing embodied AI for autonomous driving through research in world modeling, spatial intelligence, and scalable decision-making. You'll develop foundation models, reinforcement learning systems, and sim-to-real transfer techniques in a multidisciplinary environment. The work spans simulation, robotics, and real-world deployment, with a focus on long-horizon prediction and cross-embodiment learning.

Wayve London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent
AI Security Institute logo

Research Scientist (Biological Models), Chem-Bio

This role involves conducting empirical research into the capabilities of specialised biological AI models, particularly in protein design and genomics, to assess their potential for misuse. The researcher will design experiments to evaluate in-silico predictions against real-world biological outcomes, test the effectiveness of technical safeguards, and translate findings into actionable insights for government and policy stakeholders. Work spans machine learning, computational biology, and biosecurity, requiring close collaboration with wet-lab scientists, AI developers, and security experts.

AI Security Institute London, United Kingdom
AI Security Institute logo

Research Scientist (Virologist), Chem-Bio

This role involves designing and interpreting technical evaluations of AI systems with biological capabilities, focusing on virology and biosecurity risks. The Research Scientist will translate complex scientific questions into rigorous empirical assessments, evaluate model outputs for biological plausibility, and communicate findings to government decision-makers. The position sits at the intersection of AI safety, virology, and policy, requiring deep technical expertise and discretion in handling dual-use research.

AI Security Institute London, United Kingdom
Isomorphic Labs logo

Research Scientist (Applied LLMs), London

A Research Scientist will focus on applying Large Language Models to drug discovery challenges, developing novel ML techniques and models that integrate with biological and chemical data. The role involves close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers to advance AI-driven drug design. Work includes model development, experimentation, and scaling frameworks for predictive applications in a fast-paced research environment.

Isomorphic Labs London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
Isomorphic Labs logo

Research Scientist (Machine Learning), London

A Research Scientist in machine learning will develop novel deep learning models and algorithms to accelerate drug discovery, working in an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. The role involves designing architectures, training models, and applying ML to complex biological and chemical problems, with opportunities to lead projects and mentor others depending on experience.

Isomorphic Labs London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
Adecco logo

Research Scientist/Engineer - Multimodal AI & LLM

Research Scientist / Research Engineer - Multimodal AI & Large Language ModelsLocation: LondonSalary: £(phone number removed) per annum + permanent benefits + bonusJob Type: Permanent, Full-Time, On-siteAbout the OpportunityWe are partnering with an innovative research organisation at the forefront of...

Adecco London, United Kingdom
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Top hirers

Companies hiring ai research scientists

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
14 open

Cambridge

Location
1 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • A PhD in AI, machine learning, or a related field is typically required, along with a strong publication record.

  • Key skills include strong mathematical and programming abilities, a deep understanding of AI algorithms, and the ability to conduct independent research.

  • AI Research Scientists often work in academic settings, research institutions, or tech companies, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and using advanced computational resources.

  • Salary ranges can vary widely based on experience and location. For more detailed information, see the salary section on this page.

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