Location
Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, London
Hours
Full Time
Salary
Negotiable
About the Role
Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Wednesday 5 August 2026, and we advise submitting your application by no later than midnight on Tuesday 4 August 2026.
Ofcom is the UK’s communications regulator, delivering vital work that keeps the UK connected and shapes the future of communication. Our remit covers phones, broadband, TV, radio, postal services, and wireless devices. We are also committed to making the online world a safer place and seek diverse talent to help us achieve this goal.
The Senior Technologist role is part of Ofcom’s Online Safety Group, specifically within the Online Safety Technology team. This team conducts research and provides technical expertise on key areas such as AI and machine learning, digital identity, privacy enhancing technologies, decentralisation, user experience, gaming, network infrastructure, and digital forensics.
The successful candidate will lead work to develop and share understanding of technologies underpinning online services to support Ofcom’s Online Safety objectives. You will act as a subject matter expert on emerging technologies, providing technical advice and informing stakeholders on implications for online trust and safety.
Key responsibilities include providing expert guidance to policy and enforcement teams, analysing regulatory proposals, leading complex research projects, managing projects examining online safety systems and standards, producing analytical outputs for senior management, monitoring technological developments, managing internal and external relationships, and representing Ofcom in external forums to influence the technology and regulatory landscape.
Experience
Practical and theoretical expertise in architectures, integration strategies, deployment models, and operation of online networks and systems.
Understanding of Safety by Design, cybersecurity, encryption standards, and data privacy practices, with practical knowledge of their impact on online safety.
Practical knowledge of technical tools and techniques used in online content moderation, including AI/ML-driven systems for text, image, and video analysis, hash matching, keyword detection, rule-based filters, and user access control.
Knowledge of assessment techniques for evaluating performance and scalability of content moderation and user safety systems.
Experience in a technical advisory role focused on online safety, digital security, or internet governance is desirable.
About you
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences including internal and external stakeholders.
Strong collaboration skills to work across organisational boundaries in multi-disciplinary teams including policy professionals, technologists, data specialists, and lawyers.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Strategic thinker able to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities and align actions with long-term goals to inform effective policy and delivery.
Qualifications
Educated to at least degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering or science subject. Candidates with equivalent demonstrable skills and experience in specialist knowledge areas will also be considered.