Senior Data Scientist – Dependable Autonomy

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is the science and technology arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). We improve the front-line capability of the UK Armed Forces helping keep our country safe.

The Cyber Security and Safety Group has never been more important. Many military platforms such as fast jets, uncrewed air vehicles, helicopters, naval vessels and land vehicles are becoming increasingly reliant on Software, artificial intelligence (AI) and Autonomous functions to control all aspects of their behaviour.  

We’re looking for mathematically strong data scientists to help make AI reliant military systems robust and trustworthy in complex operations to help save lives.  

An example of our world class inspiring work is designing and trialling a variety of autonomous air and ground vehicles in Salisbury plain with the US and Australia.  

Another example is our successful regulatory support to current land, air and sea platforms and development of future platforms such as Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

You could be involved in:

• Assessing and advising on Defence and Security safety critical systems in the Air, Sea and Land domains, ensuring that they are safe, secure and protected.
• Applying the latest thinking in verification and validation of artificial intelligence and autonomous functions for defence and security purposes.
• Innovating to support the delivery of the UK Cyber Strategy by researching algorithms for Cyber defence.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

In this role you will:

• Have a drive for keeping abreast of the latest developments in cyber security and emerging trends in artificial intelligence.  We give our people the opportunity to think and innovate. We offer loads of opportunities for training and scholarships, attending and presenting at conferences, and collaborating with internal research and industry and academia.
• Work in a team consisting of highly professional autonomy dependability experts with enviable national and international reputations to take part in cutting edge research.  Use your critical thinking and creative problem solving skills to implement state of art methods and tools.  
• Develop a knowledge of undertaking verification, validation and vulnerability assessments on systems.    
• Appreciate the importance of safety, security requirements to have a positive impact on defence and security of the UK.  
• Deliver technical reports and recommendations to leadership, senior officials across government and military and other non-technical audiences through clear data storytelling and well-crafted verbal presentations.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Expertise in AI & machine learning.  We are looking for mathematical people.  You will have a keen interest in algorithms, software / systems along with a willingness to develop additional capabilities in cyber security and software dependability.  
• A track record leading Software or AI / Machine Learning (ML) intensive projects
• Is looking for a career with a difference, doing a job that provides the latest and most effective tools to defend our nation and uphold the principle of freedom.    

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Degree or Higher Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or other quantitative field. Possession of a higher or research degree would be advantageous for this role.
• Other relevant qualifications will be considered for the right person if significant domain experience can be demonstrated.

Important Information:

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits 

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Job contact :

• Name : Dstl Recruitment
• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk