Scaling Inference Lab Director

ARIA supports scientists pursuing breakthroughs in science and technology. It was created to activate the UK’s research and development capabilities and help address major societal challenges and opportunities.

• Take overall responsibility for managing and delivering the Scaling Inference Lab, working with ARIA teams, project leads and delivery partners
• Set and drive the programme’s path to scale, including its operating model, long-term funding approach and governance arrangements
• Represent ARIA in CommonAI governance structures and external partnerships as the programme’s senior representative
• Monitor delivery, progress, risks and opportunities across the programme portfolio, using evidence and judgement to guide decisions, unblock delivery and strengthen impact
• Build and convene a network across academia, AI and compute infrastructure, industry, government, funders and the wider technical ecosystem
• Develop trusted relationships with institutions, funders and partners to support the Lab’s growth and long-term sustainability

• Significant technical depth and leadership experience relevant to the Scaling Inference Lab
• Credibility in large-scale compute, AI infrastructure, supercomputing or a closely related field, with understanding of the technical, commercial and policy landscape
• A strong track record leading complex R&D programmes, projects or portfolios, with sound judgement on technical and delivery risk
• Ability to turn ambitious objectives into practical plans that align delivery, funding, partnerships and governance
• Strong networks across the UK and international compute ecosystem, and the judgement to build productive relationships with government, funders, industry and technical communities
• Technical breadth across the AI infrastructure stack, from models and software through networks to compute hardware, and ability to assess how compute technologies fit into rack-scale AI systems, including constraints around interconnects, memory, hardware availability, power and infrastructure
• Excellent judgement, communication and stakeholder-management skills, including assessing progress against programme objectives, making evidence-led decisions with funded teams and ARIA colleagues, and representing ARIA in senior governance settings
• A public-service mindset, motivation to work on a nationally important capability, and commitment to technical and operational excellence, integrity and appropriate management of conflicts of interest
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment while maintaining momentum on programme priorities and making difficult decisions

• The role may be discussed as part-time at 80% or fractional at 25–50%, depending on mutual fit
• Two-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension
• £120,000 Salary
• 27 Days’ annual leave, with the option to buy or sell additional days
• Learning and development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave arrangements
• Free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
• 2 Paid volunteer days
• 5% Defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Regular travel across the UK and occasional travel abroad
• UK right to work required; ARIA can support suitable international candidates through appropriate UK visa routes. Some international applicants may be subject to additional security and vetting checks
• Successful completion of required national security vetting