Research Scientist - CAST

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. 

We will review applications on an ongoing basis.

ROLE SUMMARY 

As a Research Scientist working on the Cyber and Autonomous Systems Team (CAST), you will play a crucial role in driving the team’s research work mapping the evolving frontier of AI capabilities and propensities. Your work will inform critical security decisions by UK labs and government, focusing on preventing harms from (1) high-impact cybersecurity capabilities and (2) highly capable autonomous systems. You will: 

• Build the risk models of how AI capabilities relevant to cyber-attack automation, AI R&D, rogue deployment) evolve over time and cause harm. 

• Integrate empirical data from CAST’s evaluation suites (e.g. Replibench, agentic tests) into reports for consumption within AISI, across government and externally. 

• Identify and prioritize the capability trajectories most relevant to policy and risk reduction decision-making. 

• Collaborate with CAST evaluations building teams, AISI’s mobilise teams, and external partners (e.g. NCSC) to align modeling outputs with stakeholder needs. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

The ideal candidate will combine deep quantitative expertise with a strong understanding of AI security contexts.  

• Exceptional technical insight into frontier AI capabilities and their potential pathways to harm. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills—translating complex quantitative results for both technical and policy audiences. 

• A proactive, self-directed work style: you thrive in a fast-moving environment, identify data gaps, and iterate models to inform decision-makers. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE 
We select candidates based on demonstrated experience in the following areas:  

• Quantitative risk modeling or threat modeling within cybersecurity, autonomous systems, or related domains.  

• Expertise in statistical, probabilistic, or simulation-based modeling approaches (such as Bayesian networks, Monte Carlo simulation, or system dynamics) or hands-on experience with Python and its scientific libraries (numpy, pandas, scipy), 

• Familiarity with AI capability evaluation methods and frontier AI lab safety frameworks, 

• Strong collaboration skills evidenced by working effectively in multidisciplinary teams and with external organisations. 

DESIRED EXPERIENCE 

You may be a good fit if you have one or more of the following: 

• Prior publications in peer-reviewed conferences or high-profile policy venues on AI risk or security topics. 

• Domain expertise in nation-state or non-state actor cyber threats. 

• Experience communicating AI capability evaluation results to a range of audiences. 

• Master’s or PhD in a relevant field (e.g. statistics, machine learning, computer science) or equivalent professional experience. 

• Overseen and shaped research projects and experiments.   
   

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