Research Director - AI - Cambridge

microTECH Global

  • Cambridgeshire
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
A Research Director leads strategic research initiatives and manages teams of research scientists and engineers working on cutting-edge technologies, particularly in areas of machine learning, generative AI, model compression, optimization, on-device deployment, and emerging technologies that align with our clients long-term vision and product ecosystem.Leadership & Strategy
  • Define and execute long-term research vision and strategy aligned with business objectives and product roadmap
  • Lead and mentor diverse teams of research scientists, engineers, and interns
  • Collaborate closely with product teams, business units to translate research breakthroughs into practical applications and commercial solutions
  • Foster innovation culture and maintain competitive position at the forefront of AI technological advancement
Research Oversight
  • Oversee multiple complex research projects from conception through publication, implementation, successful on-device deployment and commercialization
  • Ensure research quality, methodological rigor, and scientific excellence across all projects
  • Guide publication strategies for top-tier academic conferences while balancing open research with proprietary innovations
  • Drive intellectual property development and patent filing strategies
  • Evaluate emerging research directions and assess their potential impact on technology portfolio
Team Management & Development
  • Recruit, hire, and develop world-class research talent across diverse technical disciplines
  • Provide technical mentorship, career development guidance, and performance management for team members
  • Manage resource allocation for research initiatives and infrastructure
  • Create a collaborative environment that encourages creativity, risk-taking, and breakthrough thinking
  • Build and maintain high-performing, inclusive research teams that deliver exceptional results
Education & Experience
  • PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or related technical field
  • 10+ years of post-PhD research experience with a strong publication record in top-tier venues as both main contributor and manager
  • Previous leadership experience of managing research teams of 10+ members (typically 5+ years in leadership roles)
  • Proven track record of successfully translating research innovations into real-world products, deployments, or measurable business impact
  • Experience with technology transfer and commercialization processes
Technical Expertise
  • Deep expertise in relevant areas of AI/ML, including at least some of large language models, multi-modal generative AI, computer vision, mobile AI, or edge computing
  • Strong understanding of current research trends, emerging technologies, and their potential applications
  • Experience with large-scale distributed systems, model optimization, and practical deployment challenges
  • Knowledge of mobile and embedded systems constraints, particularly relevant to device ecosystem
  • Familiarity with hardware-software co-design principles and on-device AI optimization
  • Experience with professional software development practices, and software project management in an industry setting.
Leadership & Communication Skills
  • Exceptional communication and presentation abilities for both technical and executive audiences
  • Extensive experience working with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and business development
  • Strategic thinking capabilities with proven ability to set long-term research vision and roadmaps
  • Ability to influence and drive consensus across organizations without direct authority
  • Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships across global research and business units

microTECH Global