Jobs in London - Lead AI Researcher • Central London

Company: UK Skunk Works

Central London

Job TitleLead AI ResearcherLocationLondon (On-site)CompanyFoundational Stealth Startup About UsWe are a Foundational Stealth Startup based in London, dedicated to building a new generation of large-scale language models. Our founding team has a proven track record in AI ventures, and we are quietly assembling a select group of researchers and engineers to tackle ambitious challenges in natural language and multi-modal learning.If you have deep expertise in building and refining cutting-edge AI models—and want to be at the forefront of designing a new system from the ground up—we would value a conversation. Role OverviewAs the Lead AI Researcher, you will take charge of architecting and developing our brand-new, multi-modal LLM/SLM. You will guide both high-level strategy and hands-on implementation for data collection, training, and model fine-tuning. This position demands a blend of technical leadership and active research, as you will spearhead experiments, manage a small team of engineers and scientists, and shape the future direction of our stealth product. Key ResponsibilitiesArchitect & Develop a Large-Scale ModelDesign, prototype, and refine a multi-modal transformer-based system that handles text, code, and image inputs.Establish robust training and versioning processes to ensure reproducible research outcomes.Drive Research & InnovationInvestigate advanced techniques in language modelling, code generation, and multi-modal representations.Track recent developments in both academic and industry research, applying relevant innovations to our roadmap.Set Experimental StandardsDefine performance metrics, conduct thorough ablation studies, and maintain clear documentation of experiments.Collaborate with DevOps to orchestrate large-scale training on cloud-based GPU clusters.Mentor & LeadSupervise and mentor ML Engineers and Data Specialists, advising on research methods, data strategies, and model refinements.Provide technical leadership on code reviews and oversee AI model deployment within a discreet environment.Collaborate Across the CompanyPartner with product managers and other stakeholders to align research milestones with strategic objectives.Communicate progress and potential risks proactively, respecting the stealth nature of our operations.Safeguard Quality & IntegrityOversee security and ethical aspects of model deployment, ensuring compliance with the latest standards.Monitor and validate model performance, focusing on real-world application and reliability. Desired Experience & QualificationsPhD or Equivalent in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a relevant field (or comparable industry research experience).5+ years experience working on large-scale deep learning, particularly in transformers or multi-modal models.Demonstrated success through top-tier publications or industry AI products showcasing innovative results.Advanced proficiency in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar frameworks, with practical knowledge of distributed training.Strong familiarity with data pipeline engineering for large text/image/code datasets, including advanced data augmentation and retrieval-augmented generation.Experience leading or managing small AI research teams, balancing daily implementation with big-picture strategy.Proven ability to iterate quickly, incorporating feedback while retaining a clear technical vision.Effective communicator, able to distill complex research findings for both technical and non-technical audiences. Why Join UsStealth Environment: Contribute to foundational technology free from public scrutiny, where you can experiment freely.Modern Research Infrastructure: Access substantial GPU resources and a dedicated DevOps team, ensuring smooth large-scale experimentation.Influence & Ownership: Shape the core AI from an early stage, exerting a major impact on the success of our stealth initiative.Competitive Package: Attractive salary (up to ~£180k, depending on experience) plus equity, reflecting the significance of this leadership position. Application ProcessIntroductory CallA confidential discussion to explore mutual compatibility and your research background.Introductory InterviewA confidential discussion to explore deeper compatibility and your research background.Technical InterviewsA deeper review of your ML expertise, approach to large-scale model training, and research philosophy.Final DiscussionMeetings with the founding team to ensure alignment on vision, culture, and the next steps in a stealth environment.If you’re keen to build a new LLM from scratch and drive innovation with a small, focused team in London, we’d be glad to hear from you.Please send your CV, relevant publications, and a short note on your interest to: careers@ukskunkworks.ai (placeholder). Include “Lead AI Researcher” in the subject line. Our startup is committed to an inclusive work environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and areas of expertise.