Artificial Intelligence Recruitment in Edinburgh

Helping AI professionals grow their careers in Edinburgh, across the UK and globally

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Rated 4.9 out of 5

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Find artificial intelligence talent with real-world impact in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is fast becoming a powerhouse for artificial intelligence. With a strong academic foundation, a thriving start-up scene and investment in data-driven innovation, the city is home to some of the UK’s most exciting developments in machine learning, automation and intelligent systems. Whether you’re hiring a Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Head of Machine Learning or R&D specialist, we help you secure the people who can turn complex problems into measurable outcomes.

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What’s driving AI recruitment in Edinburgh?

Rapid growth in applied AI, not just research

Edinburgh has long been a leader in academic AI, but demand is now surging for professionals who can deliver commercial outcomes. Organisations need people who can move from theory to deployment and that talent is in short supply.

Strong demand across both public and private sectors

From healthtech and fintech to academic research and the civil service, the appetite for AI capability is high. This creates wide competition for specialists in NLP, computer vision, data science and MLOps.

Culture and purpose influence candidate decisions

AI professionals in Edinburgh are looking for more than just a role. They want meaningful work, ethical application of AI and environments that support innovation. Employers who cannot clearly communicate their values risk losing out.

Case studies

From Research Scientists to AI Product Leads, we recruit across the AI spectrum

We work with Edinburgh-based businesses to hire across the full breadth of artificial intelligence. From machine learning engineers and data scientists to AI strategists and product leaders, we place individuals who can scale projects and strengthen your core team. Whether you’re building from the ground up or expanding after funding, we adapt our approach to your needs.

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100%

roles filled within the required time frame, meeting their hiring targets consistently

90%

of interviews at interview stage within 1 week of assignment sign-off

80%

shortlist efficiency across software engineering, IT, testing & senior roles

Delivering Specialist Talent Solutions for Synectics

80%

Reduction in time-to-hire across various IT roles

Weeks average hiring time for senior tech roles

100%

Success rate in pre-screened candidates for tech roles

Efficient IT Talent Solutions for Aston Martin

Years trusting us for their niche IT and Digital niche roles

90%

Sourcing rate from CV to job placements

100%

Positive service feedback from the company stakeholders

Delivering Reliable IT Talent Solutions for APS Group

Years of dedicated recruitment support and expertise, aligned with its evolving needs

100%

Successfully filled key positions across departments, from support to C-suite

283%

Headcount expansion supported by Adria Solutions’ talent sourcing strategies

Fuelling Conferma’s Growth with Top Talent

Some of the latest roles we’re hiring

Are you hiring in Edinburgh?

Ryan Davy, Adria Solutions

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AI Research Scientist Deep Learning Engineer NLP Engineer Computer Vision Engineer Machine Learning Engineer AI Software Engineer Cloud AI Engineer AI Product Manager Head of AI GET A JOB

A poor AI hire can set your progress back months

In artificial intelligence, a misaligned hire doesn’t just slow things down, it can derail entire projects. From misfitting tech stacks to unrealistic modelling approaches, the wrong person in the wrong role leads to wasted time, lost trust and missed opportunities. That’s why Edinburgh-based organisations work with us. We get to know your architecture, team goals and innovation strategy, then deliver candidates who truly match your technical and commercial needs.

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We specialise in recruiting professionals who can bridge academic insight and real-world application, especially in AI-first or data-intensive businesses.

From LLM tuning experts to MLOps engineers, we maintain relationships with professionals who are not active on job boards but open to the right opportunity.

Whether you are hiring your first in-house AI specialist or building out a full product team, we shape our recruitment process around your current structure and roadmap.

We understand the nuances of working in regulated sectors and research-led environments, including the growing demand for ethical, explainable and human-centred AI.

Your hiring process is a reflection of your brand. We ensure that every touchpoint speaks to your purpose and helps attract candidates who align with your mission.

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Why Edinburgh is a serious player in AI

Edinburgh offers a rare combination of talent, research and infrastructure. With institutions like the University of Edinburgh leading AI research, and employers such as Informatics Ventures and NatWest Group investing in applied AI, the city has become a national centre for intelligent innovation. Access to top talent, strong investment networks and a supportive ecosystem make it an ideal location to build advanced AI teams. Partner with us to hire artificial intelligence professionals in Edinburgh.

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FAQs

Explore common questions about hiring and working in AI in Edinburgh, a city at the forefront of research, innovation, and ethical AI development in the UK.

Edinburgh offers roles for Machine Learning Engineers, Data Scientists, AI Researchers, NLP Engineers, Computer Vision Specialists, MLOps Professionals, and AI Product Managers. Public sector innovation and fintech are key hiring areas.

Entry-level salaries start at £35k to £45k. Mid-level AI professionals typically earn £55k to £75k. Senior roles in fintech, AI research, or public-sector transformation can exceed £85k. Leadership roles may go higher depending on project scope.

The city combines world-class academic AI research with real-world applications in government, finance, and health. It is a leading centre for ethical AI, with access to funding, collaboration, and long-term innovation.

The biggest challenge is competition for mid to senior-level professionals with production deployment experience or public-sector domain knowledge. Attracting talent from London or globally requires flexibility and mission-driven projects.

We offer end-to-end support including role scoping, market insights, salary benchmarking, and access to pre-qualified candidates. Whether you’re scaling an AI team or hiring for a single project, we match you with the right talent.

Hire faster than your competitors

We provide a friendly, forward-thinking, 360° recruitment service. With 20+ years of experience in marketing, digital and technology, we focus on happy hiring.

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We anticipate

We expect the unexpected and we know how to overcome complexities.

We’re confidential

We understand the sensitivities around recruiting talent.

We qualify

Rigorous candidate assessment comes as standard.

We take a second look

We uncover hidden gems through diligent talent sifting.

We find the right fit

We match the right candidate for the right company.

We plan for contingencies

With our contingency recruiting model, you only pay when you hire.

Areas we cover in Edinburgh

Being a leading digital and tech hub, Edinburgh start ups and global companies have plenty of areas to work from. Below are some of the top locations in and around Edinburgh most popular for your talent search.

The Tech Quarter
CodeBase
Quartermile
Edinburgh Park
BioQuarter
Silicon Glen
Heriot-Watt Research Park
TechCube
Pentlands Science Park
Roslin Innovation Centre
Gogarburn
South Gyle
Fountainbridge
Leith
Haymarket

Reliable AI Recruitment That Works for You

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