Darktrace

Senior Machine Learning Researcher

Cambridge Office, United Kingdom

Live, first seen by us 20 days ago

Pay: Pay not listed
Work setting: Hybrid — work setting source
You will be responsible for exploring solutions to interesting problems in a variety of domains, using techniques including large language models, statistical methods, and classical machine learning where appropriate. You will work both as an independent researcher and in team collaborations. You will also be responsible for implementing your machine learning models in the wider software stack. As we deploy our machine learning models in a variety of settings, including on edge devices, you will be expected to produce optimised solutions for both latency and memory. Please note this is a hybrid role, with a compulsory attendance of 2 days a week in the Cambridge office. What experience do I need?
Read the full posting
Employment: Full-time — employment source
Employment type in the employer’s posting: Full time
From the employer’s posting

What you’ll work on

Full posting

Explore solutions to varied problems using LLMs, statistical methods and classical ML
Implement machine learning models in the wider software stack
Produce models optimised for latency and memory, including for edge devices
Prototype new ideas and test research outcomes with software engineers

From the employer’s posting

exploring solutions to interesting problems in a variety of domains, using techniques including large language models, statistical methods, and classical machine learning where appropriate

You will also be responsible for implementing your machine learning models in the wider software stack

you will be expected to produce optimised solutions for both latency and memory

from prototyping new ideas to extensive research initiatives

What you’ll bring

All qualifications

Core experience

PhD or master's in machine learning or related field, or equivalent experience
Experience with Python ML libraries (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn)
Deep understanding of large language models and their applications
Able to work as a team player and also autonomously, making independent decisions

Qualification wording

Candidates must have a PhD or master's degree in machine learning or a related discipline or equivalent experience

Experience with Python machine learning libraries (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn)

A deep understanding of large language models and their applications

Be a team player but with the ability to operate autonomously and take independent decisions.

Education & alternatives

Essential: - Candidates must have a PhD or master's degree in machine learning or a related discipline or equivalent experience. - Experience with Python machine learning libraries (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn)

Apply at Darktrace

Posting record

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Status in our records: Live
First seen by us: Oct 16, 202620 days ago
Recorded sightings: 24
Last seen by us: Nov 5, 2026

These dates show when we found the posting. Check the employer’s website to confirm it is still accepting applications.

How this job compares

Time since we first saw it

Day 20

Similar jobs usually come down between day 6 and day 70.

From 4,474 similar postings that came down. Coming down is not always a hire.

Darktrace is hiring

2 open jobs

Open jobs by the week we first saw them, last 12 weeks.

Hiring record

See how this role fits your experience

Add your resume and we’ll mark which of these tools you already use, and point out anything in the posting that could rule you out.

Python
AWS
Azure
PyTorch
scikit-learn
TensorFlow

Where the posting names them

- Candidates must have a PhD or master's degree in machine learning or a related discipline or equivalent experience. - Experience with Python machine learning libraries (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn) - A deep understanding of large language models and their applications (e.g. transfer learning, embeddings, generative usage, agentic functionality)

- Familiarity with standard tooling for agentic systems.and associated infrastructure (e.g. MCP servers, vector databases, memory, ontologies) - Experience with low-code and high-code cloud AI services (e.g. AWS Bedrock, Azure AI Foundry, Vertex AI, Copilot Studio) - Experience with a variety of machine learning techniques

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Demand for ML Engineer roles

New ML Engineer postings at the employers we follow are up 12% over the last 5 weeks compared with the 5 before.

August 17Last week

Each bar is one week of new postings. The darkest bars are the last 5 weeks.

Counted from the hiring pages we’ve followed for at least five weeks, so employers we add don’t look like growth. Updated weekly.

About the role

We file this job under ML Engineer, by the work the posting describes.

ML engineers put machine learning models into products. They write the code that trains, ships, serves and monitors models so a recommendation or prediction works for real users.

Postings ask for strong Python and software engineering, a framework such as PyTorch, cloud services, and more and more often experience with large language models.

A data scientist often works out which model to build; an ML engineer makes it run reliably in production.

US government figures for computer and information research scientists

Median yearly pay, May 2025: $140,300
Expected change, 2025 to 2035: 21.8% more jobsagainst 3.5% for all jobs

The government has no code for ML engineers, so these figures are for the closest group, computer and information research scientists.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and Employment Projections (2025 to 2035). Occupation code 15-1221.

Job description

View original posting ↗

Darktrace is a global leader in AI-driven cybersecurity, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving threats every day.

Darktrace was built on a genuinely differentiated idea: that Adaptive AI could detect and respond to novel, real-time cyber threats. That approach matters more than ever in the era of AI. Today, our customers depend on us to stay ahead.

At Darktrace, we are energized by that responsibility. We work across teams and rally around a shared goal. We own outcomes end to end - step in, step up and see things through without waiting to be asked. We make decisions with urgency, say the hard thing, and hold each other to high standards with care and directness. We move first and learn fast anticipating where our customers are going next, continuously challenging ourselves.

We invest in the skills, learning and opportunities that help people deliver at the level their roles demand, and reward the aptitude and curiosity to grow beyond them.

Our Values: Own It | Win as One | Raise Our Bar | Move First. Learn Fast

Job Description:

As a Senior Machine Learning Researcher, you'll play a key role in diverse projects, from prototyping new ideas to extensive research initiatives. Collaborating with software engineers, you'll test and implement research outcomes, contributing to our distinctive cyber defence methodology. This position emphasises expertise in machine learning, though will also involve extensive collaboration with software development and security analysis teams.

What will I be doing?

You will be responsible for exploring solutions to interesting problems in a variety of domains, using techniques including large language models, statistical methods, and classical machine learning where appropriate. You will work both as an independent researcher and in team collaborations. You will also be responsible for implementing your machine learning models in the wider software stack. As we deploy our machine learning models in a variety of settings, including on edge devices, you will be expected to produce optimised solutions for both latency and memory.

Please note this is a hybrid role, with a compulsory attendance of 2 days a week in the Cambridge office.

What experience do I need?

Essential:

Candidates must have a PhD or master's degree in machine learning or a related discipline or equivalent experience.
Experience with Python machine learning libraries (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn)
A deep understanding of large language models and their applications (e.g. transfer learning, embeddings, generative usage, agentic functionality)
Be a team player but with the ability to operate autonomously and take independent decisions.

Desirable:

Familiarity with standard tooling for agentic systems.and associated infrastructure (e.g. MCP servers, vector databases, memory, ontologies)
Experience with low-code and high-code cloud AI services (e.g. AWS Bedrock, Azure AI Foundry, Vertex AI, Copilot Studio)
Experience with a variety of machine learning techniques
Familiarity with Linux and Git
Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts and common threats, including those specific to AI systems

Benefits:

23 days’ holiday + all public holidays, rising to 25 days after 2 years of service,
Additional day off for your birthday,
Private medical insurance which covers you, your cohabiting partner and children,
Life insurance of 4 times your base salary,
Salary sacrifice pension scheme,
Enhanced family leave,
Confidential Employee Assistance Program,
Cycle to work scheme.

As a growing business strengthening its governance and controls, this role plays a part in supporting high standards of integrity and accountability.

Darktrace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Darktrace is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact your Talent Partner.

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