Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

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Turing is undergoing a restructuring, moving towards a challenge-led model with three Grand Challenges (Environment & Sustainability, Health, Defence & National Security). This new model focuses on world-class science and innovation and aims to generate high-quality research and translate it into real-world impact and deployment.

Building on the successes of our Defence and Security Programme and AI for Cyber Defence (AICD) Centre, the Defence & National Security Grand Challenge at the Turing is developing an ambitious programme of research to create an immune system for critical national infrastructure (CNI). The research will deliver a fundamental shift in UK’s cyber-defence capability by providing AI methods and tools capable of autonomously defending CNI and other priority cyber-physical systems. Working alongside a team of other researchers and engineers at the intersection of machine-learning and cyber security, you will initially focus on either red (i.e., offensive) or blue (i.e., defensive) teaming a CNI network environment. Increasingly you will then work to automate these techniques (e.g., using GenAI and/or deep reinforcement learning), supporting both the ongoing development of an open source CNI environment for autonomous cyber research and an open competition we plan to launch in 2025.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role will sit within the Defence and National Security Grand Challenge and will focus on automated (i.e., enhanced using AI for control techniques) red and blue teaming a CNI network environment.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Undertake high-quality collaborative research, contributing to the success of the research aims.
• Take the lead on writing up findings as they emerge, producing and developing reports, and publications in peer-reviewed journals, in collaboration with the research team.
• Present, disseminate and explain our work at meetings/events and contribute to both the internal and external visibility of the Institute.
• Horizon scanning across relevant fields for new advancements and methodology
• Be a point of contact, supporting PIs in engaging with stakeholders regarding projects and deputising in meetings where necessary.
• Supervise the work of research assistants and Ph.D. interns in the team and provide guidance as required.
• Contribute to the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g., for funding and contractual purposes.
  

Specific to the project/programme/role:

• Developing and applying red and/or blue team strategies in the context of CNI network environments.
• Developing red and/or blue team tools, techniques and strategies that are enhanced or automated using modern AI for control techniques.
• The application of modern AI techniques including: DRL, GenAI, transformers and attention techniques, multi-agent approaches (e.g., competitive or collaborative training), sample-efficient exploration methods, meta-learning and generalisability approaches, genetic algorithms, explainable and/or interpretable AI.
• Making foundational AI contributions where it benefits the mission objective(s).
• Writing papers for submission to high quality peer review venues (e.g., S&P, USENIX, CCS, AAAI, ICML, NeurIPS, etc).

• PhD (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications) in cyber/systems/network security, computer science, AI, machine learning, statistics, engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• A passion for networks or systems security, and an ability to demonstrate the application of offensive and/or defensive techniques.
• A demonstrable interest in machine learning, AI, and data science.
• Prior experience developing software in a scientific computing context, ideally in Python. Experience in frameworks such as NumPy, Tensorflow, PyTorch, Ray/RLLib, Stable Baselines. Experience in development suites, systems and versioning products (e.g., Git, IDEs, Linux).
• Track record of the ability to initiate, develop and deliver high quality research aligned with research strategy any external stakeholders and to publish in peer reviewed journals and conferences.
• Track record of outstanding research and delivering impact appropriate for an early career researcher
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex or technical information, and to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. The covering letter should address:

• Why you are applying for this position
• How you qualify for this position (see criteria under “Person Specification”)
• Publication list (if not covered in CV)

If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3536 or email [email protected].

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 15 September 2024 at 23:59 (LONDON, UK BST)

Interviews are expected to take place from week commencing 30 September 2024.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This post is offered on a full time, fixed-term basis for 3 years. The annual salary is £44,180 - £49,966 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute .

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant at a salary of £41,352 per annum.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. We expect staff to come to our office at least 4 days per month. Some roles may require more days in the office; the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

Successful applicants will be subject to a DSTL research workers check at the offer stage.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly.In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email protected]to find out how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].