Please note this role will close at 00.01 on 13th September so we advise making your application by midnight on the 12th September.

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.

Our culture is clear – we live by our values: Empowerment; Excellence; Collaboration; Agility and Respect. These define how we work to deliver our purpose, now and in the future. The behaviours which support these values set the path for a fully inclusive and innovative culture at Ofcom.

We focus not only on what we do, but how we do it. We pride ourselves on being an organisation of people who genuinely care about helping others.

About the Team

The Technology Team works with colleagues across the organisation and with external stakeholders to continually develop the skills and understanding required to ensure Ofcom keeps pace with the rapid rate of change and innovation in online and trust and safety technologies.

The team’s mission is to monitor, engage and shape development of technologies that provide trust and safety for citizens online; and structure standards/best practice to promote innovation and influence service design, benefiting both citizens and industry as outputs inform Ofcom’s regulatory approach. This includes developing capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) as Ofcom prepares for and then takes on new duties as the UK’s regulator for Online Safety.

Applicants should be aware that a key element of this role will be assessing and investigating content about audio-visual content relevant to work in the Online Safety Act. This may include potentially distressing content and material and/or themes.

Ofcom is committed to safeguarding our colleagues who undertake this type of work. We endeavour to reduce exposure to distressing content, material, and/or themes wherever possible. Where this isn't possible, we control the risk by ensuring that colleagues who are exposed to DCM are appropriately protected and supported. We offer a range of tailored support options, psychological screening assessments and access to specialist therapeutic support where required.

Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in understanding and analysing the algorithms behind search, recommender systems, age assurance technologies, and automated content classification. This role involves conducting in-depth research into these algorithms, thoroughly assessing their implementation, and identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

You will provide expert advice on policy development, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and support enforcement teams. Additionally, you will lead, manage, and mentor a team of AI/ML specialists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. Your contributions will significantly enhance the regulation of online services and improve user safety.

Your key responsibilities

Knowledge Gathering, Sharing, and Technical Distillation Activities:

• Horizon Scanning: Conduct comprehensive research and prepare detailed briefings on the latest advancements in AI and ML, particularly in computer vision, NLP, and multimodal AI. Focus on the application of these technologies to various domains, ensuring the team is up-to-date with the cutting-edge developments and their potential impact.
• Technical Communication: Develop and deliver technical notes, presentations, and seminars for both technical and non-technical audiences. These materials should cover advanced AI/ML concepts, their practical applications, and the ethical considerations involved. Emphasise algorithmic transparency, fairness, and the societal impact of AI systems.
• Team Building and Knowledge Sharing: Foster a collaborative environment where team members feel empowered to share their ideas. Organise regular knowledge-sharing sessions and technical workshops to enhance team skills and keep everyone aligned with the latest industry trends.

Expertise and Consultancy for Advanced AI/ML Systems Evaluation:

• Performance Metrics Development: Utilise deep expertise to assist in developing and refining metrics for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of AI/ML models used by services regulated under the Online Safety Act. Identify pitfalls and provide insights on improving model accuracy, robustness, and fairness in applications such as recommender systems, age assurance technologies, and automated content classifiers.
• Technology Guidance and Evaluation: Offer strategic guidance on the latest technological advancements and realistic capabilities for enhancing AI/ML systems in regulated services. Evaluate third-party technologies and tools for their performance, ethical considerations, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Research and Innovation: Lead research initiatives aimed at identifying and adapting emerging technologies that can improve AI/ML models' performance, fairness, and user satisfaction in regulated environments.

Contribution to the Broader Algorithmic Research and Development Efforts:

• Innovation with ML and DL Tools: Apply state-of-the-art knowledge in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) to explore and implement new tools and techniques. Address key challenges in the evaluation of AI/ML systems, drawing inspiration from advancements in academia, industry, and other sectors.
• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Act as a primary knowledge source and mentor, guiding less experienced engineers and researchers through the complexities of AI/ML evaluation and regulatory compliance. Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within the team.

The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success

• Research Excellence: Demonstrated history of conducting high-impact research in AI and machine learning, particularly in evaluating the efficacy and safety of AI systems such as recommender systems, age assurance technologies, and automated content classification algorithms.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, and extensive experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Advanced Knowledge: Expert understanding of algorithms used in AI/ML, including those related to computer vision, natural language processing, multimodal ML, and anomaly detection. Ability to assess these technologies for their performance, fairness, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Data Expertise: Proficiency in managing large datasets, data preprocessing, and analysis to inform the evaluation and refinement of AI/ML models. Skilled in developing and applying metrics to assess model accuracy, robustness, and fairness.
• Ethical AI Commitment: Experience with ethical AI practices, including privacy considerations, responsible AI development, and algorithmic evaluation. Knowledge of algorithmic transparency and fairness, and the ability to advise on ethical implications of AI use in regulated environments.
• Building Solutions: Identify and solve complex issues, using evidence-based methods to gather insights and develop well-founded solutions.
• Articulating Ideas: Express your ideas, thoughts, and information in a clear and concise manner, ensuring messages are understood by everyone.

Qualifications:

PhD, MSc, or equivalent in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field. Candidates with evidence of equivalent demonstrable skills, leadership experience, and expertise in required specialist knowledge areas will also be considered.

Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.

At Ofcom we prioritise inclusive and diverse recruitment in order to truly reflect the society we represent.

Where positions are listed as full time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares and other flexible working options from day one of employment. We warmly welcome applications from candidate returning to work after a break – for whatever reason.

As a disability confident employer, we offer interviews to any disabled applicant who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about the scheme here.

If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team.