Research Specialist, Sustainable Network Optimisation

BT Ireland; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecom firm in the UK is looking for a Research Specialist in Sustainable Network Optimisation. The role demands a deep technical expertise in AI/ML and Computer Vision, with responsibilities including managing research projects, authoring technical papers, and driving innovation. The ideal candidate will have a postgraduate qualification and demonstrated business impact from research. This position offers a competitive salary along with various benefits, and a hybrid work model with office presence three days a week.

Benefits

10% on target bonus

BT Pension scheme

25 days annual leave

World-class training and development opportunities

Private virtual GP appointments

Qualifications

• Must have significant delivery evidence showing business impact.
• Self-starter with minimal guidance, strong problem-solving ability.
• Experience in AI/ML and algorithm development, particularly Computer Vision.

Responsibilities

• Manage research projects and tasks with internal teams and partners.
• Maintain expertise in the Sustainable Network Optimisation domain.
• Author thought leadership technical papers and manage patents.

Skills

Technical domain expertise

Strong academic record in technology

Expert communication

Experience in open innovation

Storytelling with data

Concept evaluation

Education

Postgraduate qualification (PhD or equivalent)

Job description

# Research Specialist, Sustainable Network OptimisationJob Req ID: 54167Posting Date: 15 Dec 2025Function: Product & PropositionsUnit: NetworksLocation: Assembly, Bristol, United KingdomSalary: Competitive with great benefits## **Why this role matters**This is an exciting technical specialist role in BT’s Applied Research team where the individual will apply their key expertise in the area of AI/ML, in particular with Computer Vision, within a clearly defined sphere of technical knowledge to complex business issues or opportunities. The role holder actively engages with colleagues to progress new research in important technical topics and supports the realisation of business value from research and innovation outputs. This applied research role is suitable for somebody with a postgraduate degree in the early phase of their professional career.This role will be based in Ipswich or Bristol and our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week.## **You'll have the following responsibilities**• Managing research projects/tasks, both internal to Research and Network Strategy and with collaborative partners.• Domain expert responsible for maintaining expertise in a specific technical domain.• Responsible for intellectual property creation, managing patent filing in their team and supporting IPR exploitation where appropriate• Accountable for performing research in the Sustainable Network Optimisation domain driving high impact and high value across multiple domains.• Responsible for authoring thought leadership technical papers, capturing intellectual property• Supervision of graduate and post-graduate student placements and secondments## **You'll have the following skills and experience****Skills**• **Technical domain expert:** Deep technical or domain expertise. They continually develop their expertise in a key technical area so they are recognised as a technical expert in new and emerging network systems technologies, with depth of knowledge across a range of technologies and practices in network management, inventory and asset management and tools, sustainability practices and energy management including energy industry trends. Experience with automation of network design/planning capabilities to increase agility, best achieve SLAs and optimize cost base.• **Qualifications:** Strong academic record in technology specialism with post-graduate qualification(s) (PhD or equivalent research experience).• **Expert communicator:** Regularly presents to peers and managers about their research area at conferences.• **Experienced in open innovation**: Skilled in patenting, technical publications, conference presentations etc.• **Storytelling with data:** Strong skills in building the case for change, drawing on data and analytical techniques where appropriate, and communicating this to business audiences• **Concept Evaluation**: Ability to spot relevant innovations, horizon scanning, determine relevance for the business, develop an effective conceptualisation and build trials to test the concept**Experience**• Technical domain practitioner: Evidence of sufficient knowledge and skill relevant to Sustainable Network Optimisation, including:• AI/ML and algorithm development, in particular Computer Vision• Data and software engineering• Network Planning & Design and optimisation with focus on asset and inventory management• Good to have: Modelling and simulation including tools integration and productisation• Good to have: Experience in Network automation• Significant delivery: evidence of significant business impact through delivery of research (MANDATORY)• Stakeholder management: evidence managing projects/stakeholders across the business at a variety of grade/seniority levels (MANDATORY)• Innovative Thinker: ability to spot, identify new innovations, act on them, capitalise and create value (MANDATORY)• Commercial Applicability: understanding how these case principles around relevant innovations bring real value to the business through value proposition build (MANDATORY)• Self-starter actively working with minimal guidance• Problem solving, intellectually curious, comfortable taking ownership and responsibility## **Benefits**• 10% on target bonus• BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%• From January 2025, equal family leave: receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.• Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service• 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues• 2 weeks carer’s leave• World-class training and development opportunities• Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes## **Our leadership standards****Looking in:** **Leading inclusively and Safely** I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity. **Owning outcomes** I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.**Looking out:** **Delivering for the customer** I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business. **Commercially savvy** I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.**Looking to the future:** **Growth mindset** I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation. **Building for the future** I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.BT Group was the world’s first telco and our heritage in the sector is unrivalled. As home to several of the UK’s most recognised and cherished brands – BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet, we have always played a critical role in creating the future, and we have reached an inflection point in the transformation of our business. Over the next two years, we will complete the UK’s largest and most successful digital infrastructure project – connecting more than 25 million premises to full fibre broadband. Together with our heavy investment in 5G, we play a central role in revolutionising how people connect with each other. While we are through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, meaning we can reward our shareholders for their commitment and patience, we are absolutely focused on how we organise ourselves in the best way to serve our customers in the years to come. This includes radical simplification of systems, structures, and processes on a huge scale. Together with our application of AI and technology, we are on a path to creating the UK’s best telco, reimagining the customer experience and relationship with one of this country’s biggest infrastructure companies. Change on the scale we will all experience in the coming years is unprecedented. BT Group is committed to being the driving force behind improving connectivity for millions and there has never been a more exciting time to join a company and leadership team with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion to take this company into a new era.**A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:**Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past