Location: Delft, Netherlands

AI Researcher (junior/medior) About Thales

With 80,000 talents in 68 countries, we are among the largest high-tech employers in the field of safety and security. In the Netherlands, 3,000+ persons are employed across several locations, e.g. Delft, Huizen, Eindhoven, and Hengelo (head office). In collaboration with an extensive ecosystem of knowledge partners, clients, and suppliers, Thales is actively engaged in developing information systems and radars for naval vessels, cybersecurity solutions, information and communication systems for land forces, cryogenic cooling solutions, and research & development for radar technology.

About Thales Advanced Development/Studies Systems

The Delft location is one of the innovation hubs of Thales Netherlands. The Advanced Development/Studies Systems department (ADSS) acts as the bridge between scientific research and the global core business of Thales. This pertains to both knowledge and technical solutions for military and civilian applications, including decision-making in public order and safety, crisis management, cybersecurity, and decision-support through artificial intelligence. Within ADSS, several expert research domains have been identified, namely Human Factors, Artificial Intelligence, Security, and Collaborative Architectures. The Delft team comprises of approximately 25 dedicated researchers/developers, most of whom concentrate on one of these research domains. For optimal results, we work intensively with the TU Delft, University Twente, TNO, and other (inter)national knowledge institutions.

The ADSS AI Research team focuses on bridging the gap between the latest AI developments and mature solutions enhancing the Thales products. The main tasks are acquisition of the knowledge about advanced AI techniques, experimentation with new AI concepts, and translation of relevant concepts to the product development processes. The ADSS AI team collaborates with national and international experts within the business to identify business challenges and deliver practical solutions in the 5 – 15 year timescale. We develop concepts from low to mid technical readiness level (TRL 3–6) and support transfer of our developments into the business.

About the Role

ADSS is looking for a researcher to address new challenges in AI-based automation of decision-making processes. You will play an important role in the AI Research team of ADSS, extending the company’s knowledge pool and facilitating application of advanced AI concepts in the product portfolio. You will closely collaborate with other researchers and engineers in multi-disciplinary teams, integrating concepts and software components into cohesive sets of system elements that form proof-of-concept demonstrators and minimum viable products. As the AI-based solutions are expected to play a critical role in real world decision making processes, you will work closely with colleagues from the other teams at ADSS and from the relevant business lines. You will be encouraged to present the results of your work to the research and innovation community across the Thales Group and the international scientific community.

Main Responsibilities:

As part of the AI team you will play a role in translating the latest advances in AI to practical solutions that are relevant for Thales product portfolio. In particular, you will be responsible for enhancing the company’s knowledge pool in the field of advanced deep neural networks and reinforcement learning. You will identify the most suitable deep learning/reinforcement learning techniques, study the underlying principles, carry out evaluation on real use cases, and propose the ways of introducing these approaches to real world applications. Moreover, you will continuously monitor and study the latest developments in the relevant fields of AI. You will share the acquired knowledge and practical experience with the AI team in regular technical discussions and present the results to the wider Thales community.

As your contributions are supposed to enable real world solutions, you will support the development of proof of concept demonstrators, as well as development of products. This is typically team work involving researchers and engineers from different disciplines. Last but not least, as the company adheres to high technical and ethical standards, you will be involved in a multidisciplinary team ensuring safe and ethical use of your solutions.  

About You

We are looking for an AI Researcher with a genuine affinity for academic and applied research, who excels at translating AI concepts and models into practical solutions. Specifically, you have:

A master’s degree (WO) in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, or PhysicsTheoretical knowledge on statistical modelling principles, pattern recognition and decision making. Practical experience with advanced (deep) machine learning approaches.Experience with (deep) Reinforcement Learning is a plus.Demonstrable programming skills (Python, R or Java)You are:A team player but can also get a job done without much supervisionOriented towards research and innovationUnafraid to tackle new challengesAble to convey newly acquired knowledge to colleagues within and outside ADSSWilling to regularly travel to HengeloFluent in both Dutch and English

What's in it for you ?

A challenging job in a great team within our high-tech, innovative work environment. Includes the freedom for initiative and good ideas.

Room for personal and professional growth within our organization, for example in regards to technical, commercial or international skills.

Valuable international collaboration with coworkers from 68 different countries around the globe.

A comfortable work space in a modern environment, with a focus on flexibility and the right work life balance.

You can usually work where and whenever you want. Within Thales, we aim for a 60/40 balance, where you work from home at least two days a week, when your role allows this.

A good salary, fitting travel allowance, and the ability to personalize your employment conditions: for instance, you can trade PTO for internet costs, our bicycle plan, company fitness and relocation costs.

40 days off per year (PTO).

Interested?

Apply now! Click on the button below to upload your profile and show your interest.

To ensure that we are a good match, we may ask you to participate in an assessment.

A government clearance will be requested as part of standard Thales procedures.

Diversity Statement

We actively support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions. That means that equal opportunities, inclusion and an informal culture are integral to our success. It also means that your well-being and happiness matter to us! That’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, remote working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times.

Security Requirements

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in The Netherlands and employment and/or education history. This vacancy requires a security clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please refer to the General Intelligence and Security Service.

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