Research Specialist, Sustainable Network Optimisation

Recruiter: Mark Thomas

Hiring Manager: Mathias Kerns

Career Grade: D

Closing Date: 28/09/2026

About the role

We're looking for a talented Research Specialist to join our Research and Network Strategy team, helping shape the future of AI-driven telecommunications.

In this specialist technical role, you'll apply your expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning to tackle complex business challenges and unlock new opportunities across BT's network operations. You'll work at the forefront of research and innovation, collaborating with experts across the business to develop pioneering solutions that deliver measurable value.

A key focus of the role will be designing and deploying next-generation AI capabilities across our mobile network, enabling smarter, more efficient network management and enhanced customer experiences. You'll also develop innovative machine learning approaches to optimise operational performance, automate decision-making, and improve the resilience and efficiency of our services.

You will be part of one of the world's leading telecoms research teams working on cutting edge technology and making a real world impact.

This role can be based in Bristol or Ipswich and our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week.

What you’ll be doing

• 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 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

Essential Skills / Experience

• Understanding of 4G & 5G network architectures and awareness of developments towards 6G
• Mobile Network planning, design and optimisation
• AI/ML and algorithm development

Desirable Skills / Experience

You will have experience in AI and Machine Learning and if you have experience in the cellular mobile field and knowledge on how a mobile network functions, that will be beneficial.

In addition, it would be good to have experience in using automation of network design/planning capabilities to increase agility, best achieve SLAs and optimise cost base.

• 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 and area of technical expertise
• 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

Our Package

Tailored benefits make a real difference. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range to support your growth, wellbeing, and everyday life. You can design the package to suit you and your lifestyle. Your core benefits include:

10% on target annual bonus

Access to an online private GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family

Market-leading paid carers leave with up to 2 weeks off

Equalised maternity, paternity, and adoption leave – 18 weeks’ full pay and 8 weeks’ half pay

Discounted EE and BT products, including mobile and broadband

Market leading Pension scheme – 5% from you and 10% from us

Holiday purchase scheme

You can select additional benefits, including healthcare, dental, gym memberships and more when you’re ready.

BT Group is the UK’s leading communications group and the holding company behind some of the country’s most recognised brands – including BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet. Our purpose is as simple as it is ambitious: we connect for good. Our customers include consumers, small, medium and large businesses, public sector organisations and other communications providers.

BT Group’s role is about setting direction, unlocking value and creating the conditions for our brands and businesses to thrive.

Having come through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, our focus now is on what comes next – simplifying how we operate, using technology and AI to work smarter, and organising ourselves to serve customers better and grow sustainably. Group teams shape strategy, policy, brand, capital allocation and transformation, helping the whole organisation perform at its best.

We have a singular culture that unites all our people: we are customer-first challengers, who are committed, clear and connected. These behaviours unite us as one team to deliver for our colleagues, our customers, our stakeholders and the country. Joining BT Group means working at the heart of a business that matters to the UK, with the opportunity to shape decisions, influence outcomes and help set the future course of one of the country’s most important companies.