Overview

The AI Security Institute is the world's largest and best-funded team dedicated to understanding advanced AI risks and translating that knowledge into action. We’re in the heart of the UK government with direct lines to No. 10, and we work with frontier developers and governments globally. We’re here because governments are critical for advanced AI going well, and AISI is uniquely positioned to mobilize them. With our resources and the UK government's unique agility and international influence, this is the best place to shape both AI development and government action.

Shape how the world responds to advanced AI

Join the team most deeply embedded in the UK's response to AI risks. You’ll lead critical research that directly impacts development and policy decisions – working closely with frontier developers, national security partners, and allied governments.

This role is for experienced technical leaders who want their research to drive real-world action, not just understanding. You’ll direct one of three technical teams (Safeguards, Cyber & Autonomous Systems, or Control) or propose and build new ones. You’ll set your team’s vision, ensure high output and rigour, and keep it responsive to emerging developments.

As a senior technical leader, you’ll also work with Chief Scientist Geoffrey Irving and CTO/Prime Minister's Advisor Jade Leung to shape org-wide strategy, set the bar for research excellence, and develop researchers across our 100-person technical team.

The timing is critical: we’ve scaled significantly, our government influence is growing, and this is the moment governments worldwide are deciding how much to prioritize AI security. With access to global decision-makers and AISI’s well-resourced, mission-driven team, you’ll be positioned to drive some of the most consequential research of this decade.

What you’ll do

• Lead a 10-30 person team: set the vision, roadmaps, standards, and talent strategy. Propose a new area you could lead or take on leading one of our current research areas. Among our current areas, we are especially excited about leaders in:
  • Safeguards
  • Cyber and Autonomous Systems
  • Control
• Mentor and scale: develop our strongest mid-level and junior researchers; build momentum for more ambitious goals.
• Shape the org-wide technical agenda: help determine which research questions matter most and adapt plans to industry and governance developments.
• Engage externally at senior levels: work with frontier labs, national security partners, allied governments, and the wider research community
• Raise our quality bar: in methodology, scientific writing, technical hiring, and culture.

What you’ll need

• A proven track record leading impactful research teams, whether in industry (Senior, Staff, or Principal roles) or as an academic lab director.
• A clear vision of what research most advances AI safety and governance, and the ability to turn that into teams, roadmaps, and results.
• Focus on impact: ability to recognize and adapt to frontier research and policy developments
• Extensive modern ML research experience. Typically 5+ years in areas like evaluations, safeguards, alignment, interpretability, or LLM capabilities.

Logistics requirements

• Spending at least 3 days per week in our London office. We support hybrid work.
• Joining for at least 12 months. We may be able to support secondments.

Salary & benefits

AISI’s senior technical staff are generally paid £105-145k, but we will consider higher salaries for the Research Director role.

Your talent partner will work with you throughout our assessment process to explain our internal benchmarking process.

This role sits outside of the Civil Service’s DDaT pay framework, given the scope of this role requires in-depth technical expertise in frontier AI safety, machine learning, and empirical research experience.