Speech Technologist Ref. 266
Technology Roles
London
£31,275 - £35,154
MI5 safeguards the UK against threats to national security including terrorism, espionage, cyber attack and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Part of our work involves listening to legally intercepted audio material. Our Speech and Acoustics Analysis team uses forensic techniques, highly developed skills and sophisticated technology to identify items of intelligence value in national security investigations. Whether working at the forefront of speech technology or drawing on expert audio and linguistic knowledge, our work is continually evolving and always challenging.
The role
As a speech technician at MI5, you will identify, plan and conduct research on cutting-edge technology projects relating to speech processing and analysis. This is a rare opportunity for a technologically-minded graduate to gain valuable skills and exceptional research and development experience working within the Speech and Acoustics Analysis team.
Specifically, you will be building and adapting models for speaker and language identification, automatic speech recognition and machine translation. You will develop and conduct proof of concepts, assess and evaluate results. You will draft technical papers and present information to colleagues, managers and partners. You will provide input to the design of user and system interfaces. You will work at the forefront of a fast-evolving field alongside other security agencies, government departments and commercial partners developing new capabilities to support the work of our audio analysts and investigators.
The skills
To join us, you may have a degree/masters/MSc (or equivalent) qualification in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Signal Processing or Statistics, or a degree/masters/PhD (or equivalent) in Phonetics and Phonology of English and/or another language, socio-linguistics, computational linguistics or Speech Science.
It would also be useful for you to have knowledge of modelling and coding. Ideally, you’re experienced in Linux, Perl, Python, C# or Java programming and will have knowledge of regular expressions and text encoding. Knowledge of system administration, stopping and starting server processes and managing interfaces would also be of benefit.
This is a rare opportunity to take your career to another level. Join our team and we will support you in developing your personal, professional and technical skills at every opportunity, through both internal training and external courses, conferences or events. There may be an opportunity for some international travel.
The person
It’s likely that you’re a recent graduate who is keen to step into a challenging and innovative environment. To succeed in this unique role you will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in linguistics, language and speech processing technologies.
You will need to be able to apply theory and technical skills on a practical and pragmatic basis, and communicate complex technical information verbally and in writing to a range of audiences. Team working skills, a ‘can do’ attitude and a strong customer service ethos are vital.
The Speech and Acoustics Analysis team often has to deliver work within operational deadlines, requiring flexibility and the willingness to adapt to changing priorities, including working out of hours and occasionally at short notice. Some travel, including to Northern Ireland and overseas, may be required.
Recruitment process
The first thing we will ask you to do is to complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do meet these criteria we will then ask you to begin an application. The first step will require you to create a login. You can do this by providing your full name, email address and a memorable password.
Once you have successfully created a personal account, you will be required to complete an application form capturing your technical skills and experience, as well as equal opportunities monitoring information. Providing this technical information is an essential part of the application process and we will not be able to process your application without it.
Our recruitment team will complete an application sift to assess how far you meet the job specification. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a technical and competency based face-to-face interview. Assuming you pass this, you will have a security interview with a vetting officer. You may be invited to attend a Final Selection Board which will further explore your suitability for the role. You will also need to take a hearing test.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to the “Positive About Disabled People" scheme we offer an interview to all candidates with a disability who meet our minimum criteria for the job vacancy that they are applying for. This is known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS).
Along with the standard eligibility requirements for this post, your application will be assessed on how far you meet the job specification based on the answers you provide in the ‘Skills and Additional Information’ section. Your application must score on the minimum amount of points set. On successful completion of this stage, you will be invited to interview. This is our guaranteed interview.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen and one of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK.
Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for nine out of the last 10 years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You will nonetheless be considered if you have, for example, served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty’s Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents.
Due to vetting requirements you will need to be 18 years old, or above, to apply. Your application may take around six months to process.
Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
MI5 is committed to reflecting both equal opportunities and the society we protect.
The role
As a speech technician at MI5, you will identify, plan and conduct research on cutting-edge technology projects relating to speech processing and analysis. This is a rare opportunity for a technologically-minded graduate to gain valuable skills and exceptional research and development experience working within the Speech and Acoustics Analysis team.
Specifically, you will be building and adapting models for speaker and language identification, automatic speech recognition and machine translation. You will develop and conduct proof of concepts, assess and evaluate results. You will draft technical papers and present information to colleagues, managers and partners. You will provide input to the design of user and system interfaces. You will work at the forefront of a fast-evolving field alongside other security agencies, government departments and commercial partners developing new capabilities to support the work of our audio analysts and investigators.
The skills
To join us, you may have a degree/masters/MSc (or equivalent) qualification in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Signal Processing or Statistics, or a degree/masters/PhD (or equivalent) in Phonetics and Phonology of English and/or another language, socio-linguistics, computational linguistics or Speech Science.
It would also be useful for you to have knowledge of modelling and coding. Ideally, you’re experienced in Linux, Perl, Python, C# or Java programming and will have knowledge of regular expressions and text encoding. Knowledge of system administration, stopping and starting server processes and managing interfaces would also be of benefit.
This is a rare opportunity to take your career to another level. Join our team and we will support you in developing your personal, professional and technical skills at every opportunity, through both internal training and external courses, conferences or events. There may be an opportunity for some international travel.
The person
It’s likely that you’re a recent graduate who is keen to step into a challenging and innovative environment. To succeed in this unique role you will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in linguistics, language and speech processing technologies.
You will need to be able to apply theory and technical skills on a practical and pragmatic basis, and communicate complex technical information verbally and in writing to a range of audiences. Team working skills, a ‘can do’ attitude and a strong customer service ethos are vital.
The Speech and Acoustics Analysis team often has to deliver work within operational deadlines, requiring flexibility and the willingness to adapt to changing priorities, including working out of hours and occasionally at short notice. Some travel, including to Northern Ireland and overseas, may be required.
Recruitment process
The first thing we will ask you to do is to complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do meet these criteria we will then ask you to begin an application. The first step will require you to create a login. You can do this by providing your full name, email address and a memorable password.
Once you have successfully created a personal account, you will be required to complete an application form capturing your technical skills and experience, as well as equal opportunities monitoring information. Providing this technical information is an essential part of the application process and we will not be able to process your application without it.
Our recruitment team will complete an application sift to assess how far you meet the job specification. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a technical and competency based face-to-face interview. Assuming you pass this, you will have a security interview with a vetting officer. You may be invited to attend a Final Selection Board which will further explore your suitability for the role. You will also need to take a hearing test.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to the “Positive About Disabled People" scheme we offer an interview to all candidates with a disability who meet our minimum criteria for the job vacancy that they are applying for. This is known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS).
Along with the standard eligibility requirements for this post, your application will be assessed on how far you meet the job specification based on the answers you provide in the ‘Skills and Additional Information’ section. Your application must score on the minimum amount of points set. On successful completion of this stage, you will be invited to interview. This is our guaranteed interview.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen and one of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK.
Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for nine out of the last 10 years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You will nonetheless be considered if you have, for example, served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty’s Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents.
Due to vetting requirements you will need to be 18 years old, or above, to apply. Your application may take around six months to process.
Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
MI5 is committed to reflecting both equal opportunities and the society we protect.
This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.
