The ASA is the UK’s regulator of advertising across all media, including online. Our work includes taking proactive action against misleading, harmful, offensive or otherwise irresponsible ads and acting on complaints. In short, we make sure ads are legal, decent, honest and truthful.
In this role you will join our Data Science team and work on our world-leading Active Ad Monitoring system, which uses AI to proactively monitor online advertising. In 2025 the system captured and processed 60 million ads across social media, search and programmatic display. The ASA uses this intelligence to help regulate ads across high-priority topics like injectable weight-loss medications, green claims companies make to consumers, disclosure of influencer marketing and many more.
You will be analysing the large volumes of ads the Active Ad Monitoring system captures, providing intelligence that helps teams across the ASA tackle real-world issues in online advertising. You will work primarily in Python, making extensive use of AI models to extract meaning from text, images and videos, and turning unstructured data into actionable intelligence. You will also have a role in helping understand how AI can help accelerate processes across the ASA.
Our team mission is to protect UK consumers from adverts that are misleading, cause harm and target those within our society that are the most vulnerable. Working as part of our small agile team you will have the opportunity to own your work end-to-end, seeing directly how the work you do helps protect UK consumers.
About you
- You will have a genuine enthusiasm for using data science and AI to improve ad regulation in the UK
- You will hold or will shortly receive your results for a degree in a subject with a significant mathematical, statistical or software development component.
- You will have the ability to write high-quality Python code
- You will be able to apply statistical/machine learning techniques, and have an understanding of how they work and their limitations
- You will have the ability to creatively solve complex problems, matching appropriate technical solutions to real-world challenges in regulating online advertising
- You will be able to communicate clearly with non-technical coworkers, understanding the challenges they face and explaining your work
- You’ll be impact focused, prioritising work and approaches that deliver real value
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the full diversity of the UK population. We believe that varied perspectives and experiences strengthen our organisation and help us deliver our work more effectively.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and we actively encourage candidates from minority or underrepresented groups to apply. Women are currently under‑represented within data science roles, and within our Data Science team. In line with our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we particularly encourage applications from women and others who are under‑represented in this area. Our recruitment process ensures applications are absent of names or any identifiable information which supports our aim of finding the best person for the role based on their skills and experience only.
How to apply: If you’re interested in applying for this role, please review the job description below and complete our online application process via the link. As part of your application, you will need to answer some online questions regarding your motivation and technical ability. Original thought is really important to us and this role. For that reason, we ask that you do not get AI to write your answers, but if you’d like AI to help you refine your thoughts, please do so. Should you require any adjustments to our application process please contact hr@asa.org.uk
Closing date: Sunday 12 July 2026. Please note we will be reviewing applications as they come in and we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a significantly high number of applicants.
Interview dates: 17, 20 and 21 July
