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.