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ML Research Engineer Jobs

Experts who push the boundaries of machine learning through cutting-edge research and development. A role that combines deep theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Open roles
21
Salary range
£90k – £635k
Hiring companies
10
View 21 live roles → Get an alert

ML Research Engineers are at the forefront of advancing machine learning technologies. They work on developing new algorithms, improving existing models, and ensuring that these innovations can be effectively deployed in real-world applications. These roles are typically found in research-heavy startups, scaleups, and the larger consultancies, where the focus is on pushing the boundaries of what's possible with machine learning.

What the role does

Inside the role of an ML Research Engineer

A typical week is split between theoretical research, coding, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

  1. 01
    Conduct literature reviews to stay updated on the latest research.
  2. 02
    Design and implement new machine learning algorithms.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with data scientists and engineers to integrate models into products.
  4. 04
    Optimise and test models to improve performance.
  5. 05
    Document findings and contribute to research papers or internal reports.
  6. 06
    Attend meetings to discuss project progress and next steps.
Salary on the board

£90k – £635k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 6 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
3% of listings advertise a salary.
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 26 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
81%
Machine Learning
50%
PyTorch
42%
Kubernetes
23%
Deep Learning
19%
Data Pipelines
19%
Data Engineering
19%
Reinforcement Learning
19%
Diffusion Models
15%
AWS
15%
Docker
15%
CI/CD
15%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for ml research engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior ML Research Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in research projects, implement basic algorithms, and contribute to team discussions.

  2. Level 2

    ML Research Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Lead specific research initiatives, design and implement complex models, and mentor junior team members.

  3. Level 3

    Senior ML Research Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Oversee multiple research projects, drive innovation, and contribute to strategic decision-making.

  4. Level 4

    Principal ML Research Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Lead the research direction of the organisation, publish influential papers, and guide the development of new technologies.

Pathway

How to become a ML Research Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Academic Foundation

    Gain a strong foundation in mathematics, computer science, and machine learning through a relevant degree.

  2. 2

    Practical Experience

    Participate in internships or research assistant roles to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

  3. 3

    Specialisation

    Focus on a specific area of machine learning, such as deep learning or reinforcement learning, through advanced coursework or projects.

  4. 4

    Professional Development

    Join a research team in a startup, scaleup, or consultancy to work on cutting-edge projects and collaborate with industry experts.

  5. 5

    Leadership Roles

    Take on leadership responsibilities, such as managing research projects and mentoring junior engineers.

  6. 6

    Thought Leadership

    Become a recognised expert in the field, publishing influential research and contributing to the broader machine learning community.

Live jobs

21 live roles

See all 21 roles →

Research Engineer, RL Scaling Science

This role involves designing and running large-scale reinforcement learning experiments to understand scaling effects across model size, compute, and task horizon. The engineer will build benchmarks for long-horizon RL, debug system-level issues at the research-infrastructure boundary, and translate validated findings into production training recipes. Work is highly collaborative, sitting at the intersection of empirical research and large-scale systems engineering.

Anthropic London, United Kingdom £375,000 – £640,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Research Engineer, Machine Learning (Reinforcement Learning)

This role involves collaborating with researchers and engineers to advance the capabilities and safety of large language models through reinforcement learning. Responsibilities include developing core RL infrastructure, designing novel training environments, and optimizing performance across the stack.

Anthropic London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent
Adecco logo

Research Scientist/Engineer - Multimodal AI & LLM

Research Scientist / Research Engineer - Multimodal AI & Large Language ModelsLocation: LondonSalary: £(phone number removed) per annum + permanent benefits + bonusJob Type: Permanent, Full-Time, On-siteAbout the OpportunityWe are partnering with an innovative research organisation at the forefront of...

Adecco London, United Kingdom

Research Data Engineer

Design and build scalable data systems to support multi-omics and machine learning workflows in a high-performance research environment. Focus on optimising data pipelines, storage layouts, and access patterns for efficient model training and scientific analysis across heterogeneous datasets.

Relation Therapeutics London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
Synthesia logo

Staff Research Engineer - Video Post Training

A Staff Research Engineer will work on advancing generative AI for synthetic human video creation, focusing on post-training techniques like DPO, model adaptation, lip-sync evaluation, and optimization of diffusion models. The role involves applied research to improve avatar realism and efficiency, bridging cutting-edge AI with real-world enterprise applications. Collaboration with a large R&D team and staying current with advancements in diffusion and adversarial models are key responsibilities.

Synthesia London, United Kingdom £50,000 pa
Remote Permanent
Synthesia logo

Staff Research Engineer - Multimodal Generative Modelling

Synthesia is the world’s leading AI video platform for business, used by over 90% of the Fortune 100. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in London, with offices and teams across Europe and the US.As AI continues to shape...

Synthesia London, United Kingdom
Remote Permanent
Ocado logo

Senior Robotics Research Engineer

This role involves developing advanced sensor-guided robotic manipulation systems for automated grocery fulfillment. The engineer will research, design, and implement real-time control algorithms and work on pre-production systems integrating robotics, AI, and IoT. Collaboration with research projects and production teams ensures innovation transitions smoothly into scalable solutions.

Ocado Welwyn Hatfield, AL8 6TP, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
Isomorphic Labs logo

ML Research Engineer, London

This role involves working in a highly creative, interdisciplinary team to advance AI models for drug discovery and design. Responsibilities include implementing and optimizing state-of-the-art ML models, designing and running experiments, and collaborating with scientists and engineers to solve complex computational biology and chemistry problems.

Isomorphic Labs London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent
See all 21 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring ml research engineers

See all companies →
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
19 open

Southampton

Location
2 open

Cambridge

Location
1 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • A strong background in computer science, mathematics, or a related field is essential. Advanced degrees, such as a Master's or PhD, are often required for higher-level positions.

  • Key skills include proficiency in programming languages like Python, a deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, and the ability to conduct rigorous research and experimentation.

  • The typical progression starts with a junior role, advancing to a senior position, and eventually leading to principal or leadership roles within the organisation.

  • Common industries include tech, finance, healthcare, and academia. Research-heavy startups and scaleups are also significant employers.

  • Salaries can vary widely based on experience, location, and industry. For more detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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