- Pay
- £63–98k
- Where
- Leeds, West Yorkshire, GB · GB
- Level
- Mid
Step into this Applied AI Researcher role and build something that matters in AI & Technology.
AI deployment at scale looks nothing like a lab demo.
Models need to survive contact with real data, real latency budgets and real business constraints, and that's where this kind of work earns its keep.
This is an established industry leader in the AI & Technology space, the sort of organisation that's already running large systems in production and needs people who can make them better, not just prove a concept.
The business runs on structure.
Clear frameworks, defined responsibilities, and large-scale projects where an Applied AI Researcher can actually see their work land.
Based in Leeds, with hybrid working built in.
Here's what you'll be doing: Design and run experiments that test model performance against real production constraints, not just benchmark scores Translate research papers and emerging techniques into practical approaches the engineering team can actually ship Build and evaluate models across the full lifecycle: data prep, training, validation, deployment monitoring Partner with product and engineering teams in Leeds to scope what's technically achievable versus what sounds good in a meeting Write up findings clearly enough that non-specialists can act on them Keep an eye on failure modes.
Bias, drift, edge cases.
Flag them before they become production incidents Here are the skills you'll need: Strong hands-on experience applying machine learning or deep learning methods to real products, not just research settings Fluency in Python and the standard ML tooling (PyTorch or TensorFlow, plus whatever the team's stack demands) A track record of taking a model from prototype through to something that holds up in production Comfortable explaining technical trade-offs to people who don't live in the detail Senior-level judgement on when to build, when to adapt an existing approach, and when to say no Genuine curiosity.
The field moves fast and this role rewards people who keep reading Key perks and benefits: £62,500 to £97,500, depending on experience Hybrid working from the Leeds base, with flexibility built into the week Private medical and dental insurance Enhanced pension scheme Performance-based bonuses on top of a comprehensive benefits package Why pursue a career in AI & Technology?
This sector doesn't slow down, and that's precisely the appeal.
Leeds has grown into a genuine hub for AI & Technology talent outside London, with enterprise employers investing seriously in the region.
Progress here compounds too: strong work gets noticed, and a senior Applied AI Researcher who delivers tends to find doors opening faster than in most fields.
This Applied AI Researcher opportunity is brought to you by The Opportunity Hub UK.