Job Description
Job title: Lead ResearcherLocation: Central LondonSalary: £54,554Flexible working: We recognise the importance of a good work-life balance, and while thisis an office-based role, part-time, compressed hours, and job-sharing options are allpossible. You can find out more about flexible working at MI5 on our website.About usMI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and from attempts by states toharm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysingand assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 andGCHQ, to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice andguidance to government, businesses and other organisations on how to keep themselvessafe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive andencouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.The roleAs a Lead Researcher, you’ll bring your specialist STEM knowledge and experience inconducting Scientific research that is both rigorous and ethical to MI5 and MI6, helping toaddress mission-critical priorities. You’ll join a joint MI5–MI6 science team made up ofresearchers, scientists, leaders, and strategists. Working together, you’ll exploreopportunities created by scientific and technical advancements and share your findings tobenefit the wider intelligence community.Managing the end-to-end delivery of scientific research projects will be a key part of yourrole. The work is highly varied; you’ll be shaping ideas and securing agreement fromstakeholders, carrying out detailed analysis of your findings, and ensuring your researchdelivers value for money. Through a mix of individual and cross-team projects, your ideaswill help unlock innovative scientific solutions that meet unique customer and stakeholderneeds. This includes advancing our understanding of AI, machine learning, and datascience, and developing solutions that strengthen our capabilities in these areas.Communication is central to the role. You’ll share research with a broad range of technicaland non-technical audiences, collaborate with other researchers, and help build an inclusivescientific community. You might deliver a research briefing to senior leaders, take part in aposter session to explain your latest scientific advancements to colleagues across thecommunity, as well as oversee the work of junior researchers. A significant portion of yourtime will involve working with your immediate team, the wider organisation, customers,stakeholders and industry partners to understand their needs.Please note, formal line management responsibilities aren’t expected in your first year, butwe welcome candidates interested in developing into leadership roles in the future.About youIf you’re a STEM researcher nearing the completion of your PhD (viva scheduled to takeplace within the next 6 months), we’d love to hear from you. This role is designed forsomeone with a background in a broad range of STEM disciplines. This includes but is notlimited to AI, machine learning, natural sciences engineering, or mathematics. Please don’trule yourself out. In addition to your ability to independently deliver research, if you haveprogramming skills we’d love to hear from you.Working closely with colleagues and teams across our organisation requires excellentcollaboration and interpersonal skills. Equally important is the ability to explain complexconcepts clearly to those unfamiliar with scientific details, whether through grouppresentations or one-to-one conversations, ensuring ideas are understood and valued. You’ll
share your expertise with clarity, foster an inclusive environment, and represent yourresearch area confidently across the organisation.And of course, an analytical approach underpins every task, along with the confidence tochoose the most effective methods for achieving results. You’ll deliver solutions on time andwith impact, drawing on robust problem-solving skills and sound judgement to ensureprojects are firmly grounded in evidence.
Training and developmentWhen you join, you’ll have a ‘buddy’ to help you settle in and ongoing support from your linemanager. You’ll also receive an organisation-wide induction as well as an introduction to theScience Directorate, which includes new joiner packs and meetings with our director, ChiefScientific Adviser and deputy directors. Plus, there’ll be opportunities to join sciencecommunity events and shadow other teams.You’ll also have a personal development programme tailored to your needs, identifying anyon-the-job and formal training you may require to continue growing your skills.In addition to your tailored development programme, you’re surrounded by fellow scientistsand researchers who share your enthusiasm for STEM. We place significant value onknowledge sharing, ideas, and insights. You can expect to deepen your understanding ofyour specialist area and gain exposure to other scientific fields within the UK IntelligenceServices.Rewards and benefitsYou’ll receive a starting salary of £54,554, plus other benefits, including: 25 days annual leave, automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and anadditional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme Interest-free season ticket loan Dedicated development budget Excellent pension scheme Cycle-to-work scheme Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations) Paid parental and adoption leaveEqual opportunitiesAt MI5, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a trulydiverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense ofthe word: people with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualorientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including individuals fromgroups that are under-represented in our workforce, such as women, people from ethnicminority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economicbackgrounds.Find out more about our culture, working environment, and commitment to diversity on ourwebsite.We’re Disability ConfidentMI5 is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pensions’Disability Confident scheme. This initiative encourages employers to think differently aboutdisability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number ofdisabled applicants who best meet the essential criteria for this position, will be offered aninterview, if it is practical for us to do so (this is known as the Offer of an interview). To beconsidered for an interview, you must meet the essential criterion outlined below. This will beassessed during the application sift stage: Candidates with a PhD in a relevant STEM field (e.g., computer science,mathematics, physics, engineering) or a related discipline with significant quantitativetraining.There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process toenable you to perform at your best. Please see our website for information on reasonableadjustments we can offer. What to expectOur recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview ofeach stage, in order:1. Application sift: looking at your motivation for the role and the organisation.2. Telephone interview: your application will be sifted by our recruitment team and ifsuccessful, the next stage is a telephone interview.3. Assessment centre: which will include situational role-plays, a tasking exercise andan interview.4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting.Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next.Your application may take around 6 to 9 months to process including vetting, so we adviseyou continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.
Before you apply To work at MI5, you must be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read aboutour eligibility criteria.This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s aprocess, undertaken by everyone in the UK Intelligence Community. Find out more aboutthe vetting process.Please note: we have a strict drugs policy. Once you start your application, you must nottake any recreational drugs, and you’ll need to declare your previous drug use at therelevant stage. Before you apply, we advise setting up a separate email address for your contact with us toensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoidincluding identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname ordate of birth. This is good practice and will help you manage your application more securely. The role is based in Central London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance.Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application.A loan is available to support people relocating to London. Please note: you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you arebased overseas, wait until you visit the UK to start your application. Applying fromoutside the UK will affect our ability to progress your application. You should notdiscuss your application with anyone other than your partner or a close familymember.Right to withdraw statement:
Please be aware that we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date for this role fromthe original date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please keep thisin mind and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.