AI and Data Engineering Specialist (Consultancy Contract)
Are you a seasoned AI and Data Engineering expert looking for flexibility in your next role?
Would you enjoy contributing to innovative projects in academia and legal research, balancing shorter consultancy tasks with longer project work?
This unique contract position offers you the opportunity to leverage your skills in NLP, machine learning, and data engineering within a flexible work structure that includes consultancy days and multi-week engagements, all tailored to project needs.
About the Role
Our client, a respected academic research organisation, seeks an AI and Data Engineering Specialist to develop an advanced information retrieval system. Based in Oxford with flexible remote options, this role (outside IR35) offers a competitive day rate of £400–550, with the flexibility to accommodate consultancy days, ad-hoc requests, or more extended project phases spanning multiple weeks.
In this role, you’ll help bridge conversational AI with verified data sources to deliver insightful, explainable data. Working alongside AI, UX, and data science specialists, you’ll enhance user experience and build tools that support transparency and trust.
Why This Role is Great
* Flexibility in Engagements : This role allows for varied project involvement, from standalone consultancy days to multi-week assignments, adapting to your availability and the project’s needs.
* Develop Advanced Data Pipelines : Take the lead on implementing data solutions that categorise and interpret user requests, integrating state-of-the-art AI and engineering techniques.
* Support Legal and Academic Research : Collaborate with legal and academic experts to create reliable AI systems for high-accuracy data retrieval and citation.
* Build Transparent AI Systems : Develop interfaces that clearly present referenced AI-generated summaries, supporting user confidence and transparency.
* Collaborative Environment : Work with a cross-functional team, including engineers, UX designers, and data scientists, to deliver high-impact solutions.
About You
Ideal candidates will bring a mix of skills and experience, including:
* AI and Machine Learning Proficiency : Experience with large language models (e.g., OpenAI, Hugging Face) and NLP tools (SpaCy, NLTK), with strong knowledge of transformers and attention mechanisms.
* Data Engineering Expertise : Skilled in data extraction, transformation, loading, and data warehousing (SQL, NoSQL, MongoDB), with experience in scalable data tools like Apache Spark and Airflow.
* NLP and Backend Development : Background in NLP model development and knowledge of back-end frameworks (Python, Flask/Django, Node.js) for API work.
* Explainable AI Practices : Understanding of interpretability methodologies, including LIME and SHAP, to enhance model transparency.
* User-Focused Design : Proven ability in creating or supporting front-end interfaces that enrich conversational AI applications.
* Legal/Academic Data Insight (Bonus) : Familiarity with legal and academic research data requirements, including accuracy standards and citation practices.
Technologies You’ll Work With
Expect to engage with a variety of advanced tools and technologies:
* AI/ML Frameworks : TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face Transformers
* Data Pipelines : Apache Spark, Airflow, Kafka
* NLP Models : GPT, BERT, and other transformer-based models
* Database Technologies : SQL, MongoDB, ElasticSearch, Neo4j
* Explainability Tools : LIME, SHAP, and data lineage tools
What’s On Offer
* Competitive Day Rate : Earn £400–550 per day, depending on experience.
* Flexible Project Engagements : Balance shorter consultancy days with longer project phases, adapting to evolving project needs.
* Work Location Flexibility : Based in Oxford, with remote work options.
* Innovative Research Environment : Join a team at the forefront of AI for transparency in academic research, contributing to projects that shape reliable knowledge-sharing.
Diversity and Inclusion
Our client values diversity and inclusivity in all forms. Applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcomed, as we believe diverse perspectives strengthen our team.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you’re an AI and data engineering professional excited to contribute to meaningful projects with the flexibility of consultancy engagements, we encourage you to apply today. Join us in transforming the future of AI-driven academic research.