Research Software Engineer

A premier research organisation is seeking a skilled individual to work in R&D at the intersection of LLM agent development and cybersecurity. This 12 month contract, which may be extended, offers the chance to pursue the use of AI to obviate vulnerabilities in vital infrastructure and industrial systems. Eligibility for UK security clearance is required.

You will naturally have these fundamentals:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant technical subject from a top university, backed by strong A-level grades. It is likely you will also have further postgraduate, doctoral, or commercial experience to further your skills development.
• A good understanding of computer (and device) networks, traffic, protocols, their configuration, and standard security considerations on such networks. This will at least include IP networking and may extend to SCADA and related protocols (Modbus, DNP3 et al).
• Software development skills towards scientific computing, R&D codebases, in Python or equivalent, using Git and Linux tools. A researcher’s or developer’s understanding of virtualisation and virtual machines is relevant.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, both for collaboration and to communicate findings in discussion and in writing.
• Eligibility for UK security clearance.

And more specifically, you will already have expertise in one of the following areas, and at least some exposure to the other:

• Integrating with LLM APIs to build tools, agents and potentially multi-agent workflows (MCP and LangGraph are relevant).
• Cybersecurity in depth (for systems and networks, finding and closing vulnerabilities, CVEs, potentially traffic analysis and cyber-physical systems security).

If you have particular expertise in critical infrastructure, industrial control systems, distributed monitoring and control of assets, that is a plus. The role will include time in London offices and may offer opportunities for hybrid work within the UK. Excellent benefits are included.

Please note: even if you don’t have exactly the background indicated, do contact us now if this type of job is of interest - we may well have similar opportunities that you would be suited to. And of course, we always get your permission before submitting your CV to a company.