We are looking for a Principal Physicist who enjoys seeing their work used as part of ‘real-life’ solutions. Not only will your work directly contribute to our client deliverables, but you will have the opportunity to see the process through from solution design to deployment, working in close collaboration with our wider team.

In short, you'll form an integral part of our close-knit team and will have the opportunity to directly contribute to the continued success of the business. We're looking for someone with a co-operative, can-do attitude who can build high-quality data science solutions.

If this sounds like you, we can't wait to hear from you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the technical delivery of advanced mathematical workstreams supporting UK Defence and Security programmes.

• Develop and implement complex mathematical models to simulate battlefield scenarios, platform performance, or logistical constraints.

• Translate high-level military requirements into rigorous analytical frameworks and technical specifications.

• Oversee the development of bespoke algorithms for signal processing, sensor fusion, or autonomous system decision-making.

• Provide expert verification and validation (V&V) of models to ensure they are robust enough for mission-critical applications.

• Lead Operational Analysis (OA) projects to support evidence-based decision-making for Ministry of Defence (MoD) stakeholders.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams of engineers and software developers to integrate mathematical kernels into larger synthetic environments.

• Provide technical leadership in the application of stochastic modelling, game theory, or optimisation to complex defence problems.

• Mentor junior analysts and mathematicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous professional development.

• Author high-quality technical reports and peer-reviewed papers to demonstrate thought leadership within the defence community.

• Contribute mathematical expertise to technical bid activities and the drafting of complex commercial proposals.

• Manage the lifecycle of sensitive data, ensuring all modelling activities comply with UK government security classifications.

• Represent the organisation at technical forums, symposia, and working groups involving MoD and industry partners.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• A degree in Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, or a strongly related quantitative discipline.

• Experience leading technical delivery teams within the UK Defence or Aerospace sectors.

• Experience in the practical application of mathematical techniques such as Monte Carlo simulation or Bayesian inference.

• Experience working with MoD assessment frameworks and an understanding of the UK Defence Science and Technology (S&T) landscape.

• Experience conducting peer reviews of complex analytical code and mathematical proofs.

• Experience presenting highly technical or abstract concepts to military stakeholders and senior civil servants.

• Experience in the end-to-end development of models, from initial mathematical formulation to deployment in a production environment.

• Experience working within secure environments and an understanding of the constraints of working with classified information.

• Expert knowledge of numerical methods, optimisation, and statistical analysis within a defence context Proficiency in mathematical programming using Python (NumPy, SciPy), FORTRAN, or Julia.

• Familiarity with simulation tools and synthetic environments used for military training and experimentation.

• Strong understanding of the trade-offs between model fidelity, computational efficiency, and real-time performance.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to maintain mathematical rigour under tight project deadlines.

• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage stakeholder expectations across complex programmes.

• Effective organisational skills with a proactive approach to managing simultaneous workstreams.

• High level of integrity and attention to detail, particularly regarding the accuracy of safety-critical or mission-critical models.

INTERVIEW PROCESS:

Stage 1: 20 min video call with a member of the hiring team

Stage 2: 45 mins live coding task

Stage 3: 90 min F2F interview in our London office

OUR BENEFITS:

At ADSP, we believe in rewarding talent and supporting your growth. Here’s what you can look forward to as part of our team:

• Competitive compensation package including annual performance bonus

• 26 days of annual leave, 8 bank holidays plus your birthday off

• BUPA Private Healthcare

• Enhanced family leave

• £1,000 annual development budget

• Flexible hybrid working (2 days a week in our modern Shoreditch office)

• Remote working from anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks each year

• Latest tech that suits your needs: high-spec Windows machine or a MacBook

• Free snacks and drinks, and regular team socials

• Supportive entrepreneurial environment offering a ton of autonomy and opportunity to work on a variety of projects, technologies and industries

Join us and realise your full potential in a collaborative, forward-thinking team, where your work will help shape the future.

OUR COMMITTMENT TO DEI:

At ADSP, we are committed to fostering an inclusive hiring process and believe in creating an environment where all candidates have equal opportunities to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at careers@adsp.ai