About the AI Security Institute
The AI Security Institute is the largest team in a government dedicated to understanding AI capabilities and risks in the world.
Our mission is to equip governments with an empirical understanding of the safety of advanced AI systems. We conduct research to understand the capabilities and impacts of advanced AI and develop and test risk mitigations. We focus on risks with security implications, including the potential of AI to assist with the development of chemical and biological weapons, how it can be used to carry out cyber-attacks, enable crimes such as fraud, and the possibility of loss of control.
The risks from AI are not sci-fi, they are urgent. By combining the agility of a tech start-up with the expertise and mission-driven focus of government, we’re building a unique and innovative organisation to prevent AI’s harms from impeding its potential.
Strategic Awareness
We're focused on keeping AISI abreast of the developments at the frontier of AI. To achieve this we’re performing a variety of market analysis and commercial forecasting activities. We use a wide range of publicly available data to identify trends and anticipate the trajectory of frontier model development.
Role Summary
As a Data Scientist you will help bridge the gap between technical AI developments and strategic decision-making. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining analytical pipelines that provide crucial insights AI Frontier Model development and broader AI market trends. You will work closely with the Strategic Awareness team to identify and evaluate diverse data sources, designing and implementing data collection systems, and developing predictive models that track the trajectory of AI development and its impacts.
This role involves monitoring and analysing emerging AI Frontier Model development and offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of data engineering, statistical analysis, and business intelligence. A successful candidate would be required to display both technical expertise and strategic thinking to help create actionable insights on AI trajectories and contribute to the communication of findings to policymakers.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will combine strong technical capabilities with creative thinking and excellent problem-solving skills and have a track record of identifying novel data sources and identifying creative new techniques for data collection, and knowledge of frontier AI training and supply chain. You should possess programming abilities in Python and experience with modern data science tools and frameworks. Strong statistical knowledge and experience with time series analysis and forecasting methodologies are necessary, as is the ability to communicate the outcomes of your analysis to a wide range of audiences.
Required Experience
We select candidates based on skills and experience in the following areas:
- Masters/Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science or a related field with at least 3-5 years experience
- Demonstrated expertise in Python programming and common data science libraries
- Strong background in statistical modelling and forecasting techniques, particularly time series analysis Frontier model architecture or training knowledge
- Frontier model architecture or training knowledge
- Experience in developing and maintaining data pipelines and automated reporting systems including dashboards
- Proven track record in identifying and utilising novel data sources
- Verbal communication
- Interpersonal skills
Desired Experience
You may be a good fit if you have some of the following skills, experience, and attitudes:
- Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS preferred)
- Knowledge of web scraping and alternative data collection methods
- Experience with database management
- Background in market analysis or economic forecasting
- Published research or significant projects in predictive analytics
- Frontier model architecture or training knowledge
- AI supply chain knowledge
- Track record of effective data visualisation
The job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.
Salary & Benefits
We are hiring individuals at all ranges of seniority and experience within this research unit, and this advert allows you to apply for any of the roles within this range. 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Selection Process
In accordance with the Civil Service Commission rules, the following list contains all selection criteria for the interview process.
Whilst AISI often encourages applications from individuals of any nationality, due to the unique nature of this role and the elevated security clearances that would be required once in post, we can only accept individuals capable of meeting DV criteria which is largely restricted to UK nationals. Therefore this statement supersedes our general nationality rules policy as described in the footnote of this post. For further vetting clarification please visit the GOV.UK site listed below:
National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK
Additional Information
Internal Fraud Database
The Internal Fraud function of the Fraud, Error, Debt and Grants Function at the Cabinet Office processes details of civil servants who have been dismissed for committing internal fraud, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned. The Cabinet Office receives the details from participating government organisations of civil servants who have been dismissed, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned, for internal fraud. In instances such as this, civil servants are then banned for 5 years from further employment in the civil service. The Cabinet Office then processes this data and discloses a limited dataset back to DLUHC as a participating government organisations. DLUHC then carry out the pre employment checks so as to detect instances where known fraudsters are attempting to reapply for roles in the civil service. In this way, the policy is ensured and the repetition of internal fraud is prevented. For more information please see - Internal Fraud Register.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and get baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) clearance before they can be appointed. Additionally, there is a strong preference for eligibility for counter-terrorist check (CTC) clearance. Some roles may require higher levels of clearance, and we will state this by exception in the job advertisement. See our vetting charter here.
Nationality requirements
We may be able to offer roles to applicant from any nationality or background. As such we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet the standard nationality requirements (opens in a new window).
