Senior Offensive Security Researcher

THE ROLE

Operating as part of our Defence & National Security team, our work depends not just on new ideas, but on strong experimental practice, rigorous implementation, and high-quality prototyping.

Without truly understanding the future of cyber-attacks we are limited in our ability to defend. OSU is a dedicated team to identify, design and assess new AI-enabled offensive techniques.

As a Senior Offensive Security Researcher, you will investigate how modern AI changes what is possible for cyber adversaries. Working from realistic threat scenarios, you will design and evaluate controlled experiments that explore emerging AI-enabled offensive techniques before they appear in the wild. Outputs may include experimental designs, prototype implementations, reproducible evaluations, technical reports, demonstrations, and briefings for government partners. All work will be conducted within appropriate legal, ethical, and governance frameworks.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Define research directions and high-value problem areas at the intersection of AI and offensive cyber.
• Translate realistic adversary behaviours into testable hypotheses and experimental designs.
• Own the design and execution of rigorous evaluations of AI-enabled offensive techniques, including where they work, fail, or introduce new risks.
• Develop prototypes and reproducible implementations with Offensive Security Engineers.
• Analyse AI-altered attack surfaces, including how AI may support discovery, chaining, automation, or amplification of cyber techniques.
• Produce clear technical evidence through reports, demonstrations, and briefings.
• Work closely with government and technical stakeholders to ensure research remains grounded, relevant, and actionable.
• Mentor and guide other researchers, contributing to overall team capability
• Help shape OSU’s experimentation culture, methods, and technical standards

YOU’LL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE IF YOU

• Have strong instincts for adversarial thinking and are curious about how systems can be probed, stressed, and exploited
• Are energised by anticipating where offensive capability is heading, rather than only responding to what already exists
• Enjoy turning ideas into well-designed experiments and concrete evidence
• Are comfortable working in ambiguous problem spaces where the right questions are not always obvious
• Can move fluidly between real-world scenarios, abstract reasoning, and experimental validation
• Are motivated by producing work that has real operational relevance and impact
• Like collaborating across disciplines, particularly with engineers and domain experts
• Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 05 July 2026, 23:59 (LONDON, UK, BST)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a two-year fixed term basis. The annual salary is £54,612 - £61,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute

Eligibility for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is a requirement for this role. Eligibility criteria and further information on the process can be found on the UK Government security vetting website. Applicants should check if they are eligible for DV clearance before applying to this role.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. We value diversity of background, experience, and perspective, and are proud to be an inclusive employer. We warmly encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from groups currently under-represented in our sector. If you feel passionate about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, please apply - we recognise that great candidates may bring strengths beyond the criteria listed.