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The Role
Lead ARIA’s Scaling Inference Lab, an AI hardware testbed building deployable rack-scale systems. Own programme delivery, operating model, governance, funding strategy, partnerships and long-term sustainability. Represent ARIA in governance forums, assess portfolio progress and risks, guide evidence-based decisions, and build relationships across academia, industry, government, funders and the compute ecosystem. The role requires technical breadth across AI infrastructure, strong programme leadership, senior stakeholder management, and regular UK travel.
Summary Generated by Built In
Salary: c.£120,000
Location: Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere
Employment Type: Full-time; we are open to discussing this opportunity as a part-time role (80%) or fractional commitment (25–50%) depending on mutual fit
Contract: Two-year fixed term, with the possibility of extension
Start Date: Immediate
Contract: Two-year fixed term, with the possibility of extension
Start Date: Immediate
About ARIA
ARIA empowers scientists to pursue breakthroughs at the edge of the possible.
From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed through science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.
Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that is a life-changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role.
If you want to help make breakthroughs like these possible, come and build ARIA with us.
Learn more here.
The Role
The Scaling Inference Lab is an ARIA-backed, £50m testbed for next-generation AI hardware. Delivered by CommonAI CIC, it is building real, deployable rack-scale AI systems that enable startups and research groups to test new technologies in an open environment.
Every six months, the Lab will build a new rack as a structured pilot, integrating promising technologies into working systems that can run AI models and be benchmarked against commercial alternatives. Its ambition is to create a route for breakthrough infrastructure technologies to prove themselves at system scale, reduce the cost of large AI systems and strengthen the UK’s capability to build the infrastructure that powers AI.
As the Scaling Inference Lab Director, you will lead the Scaling Inference Lab, which is a part of the Scaling Compute Programme, ensuring the programme delivers, grows with purpose, and has the partnerships, operating model and long-term backing to succeed.
What you'll do
- Take overall responsibility for the successful management and delivery of the Scaling Inference Lab, working closely 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 the relevant CommonAI governance structures and external partnerships as ARIA’s senior representative for the programme.
- Maintain a clear view of delivery, progress, risks and opportunities across the programme’s existing portfolio, and use evidence and judgement to guide decisions, unblock delivery and strengthen impact.
- Build and convene a high-quality network across academia, AI and compute infrastructure, industry, government, funders and the wider technical ecosystem.
- Develop trusted relationships with the institutions, funders and partners needed to support the Scaling Inference Lab’s growth and long-term sustainability.
How we'll support you
We will give you the support and autonomy to move quickly, including:
- A world-class operating team to support programme delivery, partnerships, contracting, funding processes and operational problem-solving.
- Close partnership with ARIA’s Chief Translation Officer, Executive team, Programme Operations and technical colleagues, alongside the incoming Programme Director.
- Access to ARIA’s networks across science, technology, government, industry and venture, helping you bring together the people and institutions the programme needs.
- The convening power, funding tools and organisational backing of ARIA to help turn an ambitious scale-up plan into reality.
Who you are
We do not expect any single candidate to tick every box. However, standout applicants are likely to demonstrate many of these qualities:
- Deep credibility in large-scale compute, AI infrastructure, supercomputing or a closely related field, with an informed understanding of the technical, commercial and policy landscape.
- A strong track record of leading complex R&D programmes, projects or portfolios, with sound judgement on technical and delivery risk.
- The ability to turn an ambitious objective into a practical, credible plan: aligning delivery, funding, partnerships and governance around a shared goal.
- Strong networks across relevant parts of 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 the ability to judge how compute technologies fit into larger rack-scale AI systems, including the practical constraints around interconnects, memory, hardware availability, power and infrastructure.
- Excellent judgement, communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to assess progress against programme objectives, make clear evidence-led decisions with funded teams and ARIA colleagues, and represent ARIA confidently in senior governance settings.
- A public-service mindset and motivation to work on a nationally important capability, alongside a high bar for technical and operational excellence, integrity and appropriate management of conflicts of interest.
- The ability to work with focus and autonomy in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment, whether full-time, 80% or on a fractional commitment of 25–50%, while maintaining momentum on programme priorities and making difficult decisions.
Eligibility
You will:
- Bring significant technical depth and leadership experience relevant to the Scaling Inference Lab.
- Be able to travel regularly across the UK, and occasionally abroad, for meetings, events and engagement with partners and stakeholders.
- Spend regular time in person at ARIA’s King’s Cross office, with the exact pattern agreed to reflect your commitment and the needs of the programme.
If you are appointed, you must:
- Have, or be able to obtain, the right to work in the UK. ARIA can support suitable international candidates through the appropriate UK visa routes. Some international applicants may be subject to additional security and vetting checks.
- Successfully complete the required national security vetting.
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
- Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
- Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave arrangements
- A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
- 2 days of paid volunteer days
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
- Cycle to Work scheme
- An excellent office location in Kings X, London
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to this, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.
ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. You can read our policy here. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle. You can read about those here.
Skills Required
- Significant technical depth and leadership experience relevant to AI infrastructure, large-scale compute, supercomputing or a closely related field
- Track record of leading complex R&D programmes, projects or portfolios
- Ability to develop practical plans aligning delivery, funding, partnerships and governance
- Strong networks across the UK and international compute ecosystem
- Technical breadth across AI models, software, networks, compute hardware and rack-scale systems
- Excellent judgement, communication and stakeholder-management skills
- Public-service mindset and commitment to technical, operational and ethical excellence
- Ability to work autonomously in a fast-moving and ambiguous environment
- Ability to travel regularly across the UK and occasionally abroad
- Regular in-person attendance at ARIA’s King’s Cross office
- Have or be able to obtain the right to work in the UK
- Successfully complete the required national security vetting
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