Senior principal scientist jobs in San Rafael, CA - 1,394 jobs

### As a research scientist with Martian, you will develop new techniques to understand how AI models work. This work will focus on exploring and improving a technique we call “model mapping”: converting transformers into more interpretable representations (such as programs). We are looking for people who can develop and scale up methods for making transformers more interpretable through model mapping and then understanding the transformers in the new domain we map to. Full details can be found here. #J-18808-Ljbffr

A leading AI robotics firm based in San Francisco is seeking an AI Robotics Research Scientist. This role involves developing and training robotic AI models and working with an all-star team to tackle advanced robotics challenges. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Robotics or Computer Science and experience in deep learning and robotic hardware. A competitive salary range of $180,000 - $250,000 plus equity is offered, along with strong benefits that include paid time off, health insurance, and 401k contributions. #J-18808-Ljbffr

A leading AI science company in San Francisco is seeking an Applied Scientist to tackle complex marketing measurement challenges. The role involves designing innovative algorithms and collaborating with clients to ensure accuracy at scale. Ideal candidates will have at least 5 years of experience in research code and a strong mathematical background, including causal inference. The compensation ranges from $235K to $258K, with equity offers and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic startup environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr

A leading AI research company in San Francisco is seeking a Research Scientist in mathematical sciences to design and build AI models that tackle complex scientific problems. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and experience with frontier models. This position operates on a hybrid work model, valuing rigor and reproducibility in scientific research. Competitive compensation is offered. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems facing the United States. At the intersection of advanced manufacturing and cutting‑edge physics, we are developing technologies that will reshape the semiconductor industry and strengthen America's technological leadership. We are a team of world‑class scientists, engineers, and technical experts building technology for the United States. Summary As a Research Scientist working with AI, you will accelerate and augment R&D workflows by applying machine learning to scientific simulations and modeling while simultaneously building internal AI capabilities across the organization. This role sits at the intersection of cutting‑edge physics and artificial intelligence, and you'll work hands‑on to develop AI‑augmented tools that enable breakthrough research, and build the infrastructure and expertise that empowers our technical teams to leverage AI in their own work. Whether you are a physicist who has embraced machine learning or an AI expert with deep scientific domain knowledge, you will play a pivotal role in defining how we utilize AI to accelerate our own internal R&D. Responsibilities Integrate machine learning techniques to accelerate scientific simulations, modeling, and computational workflows Develop AI‑augmented tools for materials science, device physics, or accelerator physics applications Build internal AI infrastructure and capabilities to enable research teams across the organization Train and mentor scientists and engineers on integrating AI/ML into their research workflows Implement surrogate models, physics‑informed neural networks, or generative approaches for scientific problems Develop data pipelines and frameworks for scientific machine learning across distributed teams Collaborate with computational physicists and experimentalists to identify high‑impact AI applications Set AI best practices and establish standards for ML‑augmented R&D Required Qualifications 5+ years professional or academic research experience in physical sciences, engineering, or related field 2‑3+ years hands‑on experience applying machine learning to scientific or technical problems Strong programming skills in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, or similar) Deep understanding of scientific computing, numerical methods, and computational modeling Proven ability to translate scientific problems into machine learning approaches Experience building tools, infrastructure, or capabilities used by technical teams Preferred Qualifications PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field Publications applying ML to scientific computing, simulation, or experimental data analysis Experience with physics‑informed machine learning or scientific foundation models Background in accelerator physics, semiconductor devices, materials modeling, or related domains Track record of enabling technical teams through tool development or mentorship Salary Range $150,000-$400,000 USD Substrate is an equal opportunity employer. It provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Substrate will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please let your recruiter know. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. #J-18808-Ljbffr

A generative media company in San Francisco seeks a Research Scientist to develop innovative architectures for long-form video generation. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Machine Learning or a related field, expertise in auto-regressive modeling, and proficiency in Python and PyTorch. This role offers competitive compensation and valuable experience in the evolving field of AI-driven content creation. #J-18808-Ljbffr

We are Genmo, a research lab dedicated to building open, state-of-the-art models for video generation towards unlocking the right brain of AGI. Join us in shaping the future of AI and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in video generation. Role overview We are seeking an exceptional Research Scientist to join our team, focusing on alignment and post-training techniques for large-scale video generation models. In this role, you will be at the forefront of ensuring our diffusion-based video models reliably produce high-quality, physically accurate and safe outputs that match human preferences and values. Responsibilities Lead research initiatives in alignment and post-training methods for video generation models, focusing on improved quality, reliability, and adherence to human intent Design and implement supervised fine-tuning and reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) pipelines for video generation models Develop robust evaluation frameworks to measure model alignment, safety, and output quality Create and optimize data collection pipelines for human feedback and preferences Design and conduct experiments to validate alignment techniques and their scaling properties Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate alignment improvements into our production pipeline Stay at the cutting edge of the field by regularly reviewing academic literature in both generative AI and alignment Mentor junior researchers and foster a culture of responsible AI development Work closely with product teams to ensure alignment methods enhance rather than inhibit model capabilities Qualifications Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related field Must have: Strong publication record in top-tier conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) with a focus on reinforcement learning, alignment, or generative models Extensive experience implementing and optimizing large-scale training pipelines using PyTorch Deep understanding of reinforcement learning techniques, particularly RLHF Experience with distributed training systems and large-scale experiments Proven track record in designing and implementing robust evaluation frameworks Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences Strong software engineering skills and experience with complex shared codebases Ideal candidate will have: Experience with diffusion models or other generative architectures Background in fine-tuning large language models or generative models Experience working with human feedback data collection and annotation pipelines Strong aesthetic sense and understanding of video quality assessment Familiarity with alignment techniques such as constitutional AI or debate Track record of successful collaboration with product teams Experience with perceptual quality metrics and human evaluation design Contributions to open-source projects in AI alignment or generative AI Additional Information Additional Information The role is based in the Bay Area (San Francisco). Candidates are expected to be located near the Bay Area or open to relocation. Genmo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates are evaluated without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. Genmo, Inc. is an E-Verify company and you may review the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work posters in English and Spanish. #J-18808-Ljbffr

A pioneering AI security company located in San Francisco is seeking a Research Scientist to develop and enhance cutting-edge agent and machine learning security techniques. The ideal candidate will have expertise in Python and various LLM libraries, with a passion for innovation in a fast-paced startup environment. This role offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking AI solutions. #J-18808-Ljbffr

A VC-backed AI simulation platform in San Francisco is seeking a Behavioral Research Scientist to shape AI agents' cognitive foundations. The role focuses on modeling decision-making processes, translating theories into practical frameworks, and conducting experiments to enhance simulation realism. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in relevant fields and experience in behavioral modeling. Join a passionate team making a real-world impact in AI technology. #J-18808-Ljbffr

About Nudge At Nudge, our mission is to develop the best technology for interfacing with the brain to improve people's lives. We're starting with an approach that we believe can help the most people the fastest, and also allow us to learn as much about the brain as possible: developing a non‑invasive, ultrasound‑based device that can stimulate and image the brain at high resolution and depth. This is a vertically integrated effort building cutting‑edge hardware, software, and research capabilities to create products that can benefit millions - and eventually billions - of people. We've brought together a team of the best, who believe hard things are worth doing. To succeed, we need to assemble world‑class teams across everything we do. We hire people who are exceptional at their craft, do the real work, and execute relentlessly - people who expect the highest levels of both rigor and integrity from each other. About the role As a research scientist focused on rodent behavior and neural imaging at Nudge, you will: Design and execute experiments in rodents to characterize the effects of ultrasound neuromodulation on brain circuits and behavior Collect and analyze behavioral and neural data, with techniques such as electrophysiology, calcium imaging and/or fiber photometry Develop and validate experimental paradigms linking neural activity changes to behavioral and physiological responses with clinical relevance Optimize ultrasound stimulation parameters for specific brain circuits and cell types to achieve targeted neuromodulation Translate preclinical findings to inform human neuromodulation studies About you PhD or postdoc in neuroscience, biomedical engineering or similar engineering discipline Exceptional proficiency in ultrasound neuromodulation, functional ultrasound neuroimaging, optogenetics, electrophysiology, two‑photon microscopy, or fiber phototometry in animal models Experience with automated behavioral tracking and analysis or computational analysis of neural + behavioral data Experience designing experiments informed by ultrasound physics and acoustic field modeling is preferred Demonstrated history of exceptional technical contribution #J-18808-Ljbffr

A pioneering AI company based in San Francisco seeks a Foundational AI Research Scientist (Speech) to drive advancements in speech understanding and generation. This role requires a Ph.D. and extensive experience in TTS and STT systems. Responsibilities include prototyping architectures, executing validation experiments, and collaborating with engineering teams. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in modern sequence modeling and a proven track record with large-scale datasets. A strong engineering intuition and the ability to translate complex ideas into maintainable code are essential. #J-18808-Ljbffr

The Center for Brain and Health (CBH) at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is seeking a Research Scientist to explore scientific questions related to an in-progress normative brain database. The research scientist will be a key member of a multidisciplinary team responsible for collection of multimodal brain data, including MR imaging, MEG, EEG, and eye tracking. The tentpole of the CBH is the first normative brain database in the region, featuring structural, functional, diffusion MRI, behavioral and health measures, genetic information, and lifestyle questionnaires. The anticipated appointment start date is May 1, 2026, with a guaranteed term of 18 months and the possibility of renewal based on performance. Responsibilities Explore scientific questions related to the normative brain database. Conduct data collection and processing of multimodal MR imaging, MEG, EEG, and eye tracking. Apply big‑data analysis techniques and advanced computational methods to brain imaging data. Collaborate with the multidisciplinary research team. Contribute to peer‑reviewed publications and scientific communication. Qualifications Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Psychology, MR Physics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field. Postdoctoral experience or an equivalent level of experience preferred. Extensive experience with multimodal MRI, including functional, structural, and tractography methods. Proficiency in big‑data analysis techniques. Experience with other large brain databases preferred. Strong computational skills and a solid publication record. Benefits Competitive salary and benefits. Housing allowance. Other benefits as specified in the employment terms. Application Instructions Cover letter. Curriculum vitae with a full publication list. Transcript. Statement of research interests. Three representative publications. Three letters of reference. All materials must be submitted in PDF format. Applications are accepted immediately; please submit through the NYUAD careers page at ************************************************************* For questions, contact ************** or **************************. UAE nationals are encouraged to apply. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. Sustainability Statement NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability. #J-18808-Ljbffr

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Research Scientist to innovate and advance machine learning techniques. This role offers the opportunity to develop impactful research while collaborating across teams to push the boundaries of AI. Ideal candidates will have a track record of innovation, a strong understanding of deep learning algorithms, and a commitment to the ethical implications of AI technology. Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to ensuring AI benefits all of humanity and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology. #J-18808-Ljbffr

About Goodfire Behind our name: Like fire, AI holds the potential for both immense benefit and significant risk. Just as mastering fire transformed human history, we believe the safe and intentional development of AI will shape the future of our species. Our goal is to tame this new fire. Goodfire is an AI interpretability research company focused on understanding and designing AI systems that people can trust. Our mission is to advance humanity's understanding of AI to build safe and powerful AI systems. We believe that deep research breakthroughs are necessary to make this possible. Goodfire is a public benefit corporation headquartered in San Francisco with a team of the world's top interpretability researchers and engineers from organizations like OpenAI and DeepMind. We've raised $59M from investors like Menlo, Lightspeed and Anthropic and work with customers including Arc Institute, Mayo Clinic, and Rakuten. About the role Scientific AI models trained to model natural systems are revolutionizing research across scientific domains, including protein interaction prediction, protein design, disease prediction, and materials discovery. We're looking for a Forward Deployed Research Scientist (Biology) to join our team to work directly with customers to develop new techniques for understanding and designing large biological foundation models. You'll work closely with a small, mission-driven team of scientists and engineers to conduct novel research, build practical tools, and push the field forward. Where you might contribute: Forward deployed research - lead scientific research with our partners to interpret advanced biological foundation models (genomic foundation models, ViTs, PLMs) to uncover what they've learned. Project delivery and implementation - own research delivery on high-stakes projects with customers and do whatever it takes to make delivery successful, including: problem and hypothesis definition, data sourcing, tool building, iteration, and implementation. Translate research into tools for real-world applications in precision medicine, digital pathology, drug discovery, and more. Key Responsibilities: Work directly with customers to conduct original research in interpretability and computational biology. Prototype techniques to visualize and manipulate internal model structures. Collaborate with engineering to turn research into production-ready tools. Drive partnership success by collaborating closely with our customers and partners. Help define and evolve our research direction. Required experience PhD/MD or equivalent experience in biology, with a strong ML background and experience in computational biology or bioinformatics. Deep familiarity with large models and a passion for understanding how they work. Fluency in Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch. Strong writing and communication skills for explaining complex ideas. Drive to move quickly and take ownership. Preferred qualifications Experience leading research in a forward deployed environment and in service of a customer's requirements. Familiarity with interpretability, alignment, or safe model development. Experience in startup or fast-paced lab environments. Our values Goodfire is looking for individuals who embody our values and share our deep commitment to making interpretability accessible. We are building a team first and foremost. Put mission and team first All we do is in service of our mission. We trust each other, deeply care about the success of the organization, and choose to put our team above ourselves. Improve constantly We are constantly looking to improve every piece of the business. We proactively critique ourselves and others in a kind and thoughtful way that translates to practical improvements in the organization. We are pragmatic and consistently implement the obvious fixes that work. Take ownership and initiative There are no bystanders here. We proactively identify problems and take full responsibility over getting a strong result. We are self-driven, own our mistakes, and feel deep responsibility over what we're building. Action today We have a small amount of time to do something incredibly hard and meaningful. The pace and intensity of the organization is high. If we can take action today or tomorrow, we will choose to do it today. What we offer This role offers market competitive salary, equity, and competitive benefits. The expected salary range for this position is $220,000 - $315,000 USD Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to join a vital mission at an important point in its trajectory - we are developing groundbreaking technology with a world-class team on the critical path to ensuring a safe and beneficial future for humanity. If you want to do your life's work with us, even if you believe you do not meet every single requirement, apply now. #J-18808-Ljbffr

About Hedra Hedra is a pioneering generative media company backed by top investors at Index, A16Z, and Abstract Ventures. We're building Hedra Studio, a multimodal creation platform capable of control, emotion, and creative intelligence. At the core of Hedra Studio is our Character-3 foundation model, the first omnimodal model in production. Character-3 jointly reasons across image, text, and audio for more intelligent video generation - it's the next evolution of AI-driven content creation. At Hedra, we're a team of hard-working, passionate individuals seeking to fundamentally change content creation and build a generational company together. We value startup energy, initiative, and the ability to turn bold ideas into real products. Our team is fully in-person in SF/NY with a shared love for whiteboard problem-solving. Overview We are seeking a Research Scientist to lead innovation in video generation distillation, including step distillation, model size reduction, and efficient inference methods. This role focuses on making state-of-the-art video diffusion models faster, lighter, and more deployable without sacrificing quality. The ideal candidate will be experienced in model compression techniques and capable of bridging cutting-edge research with production needs. Responsibilities Research and develop distillation techniques for video diffusion models, including step distillation, layer pruning, and knowledge transfer. Optimize models for latency, memory footprint, and energy efficiency while maintaining high generation quality. Collaborate with engineering to implement and benchmark accelerated inference pipelines. Monitor and evaluate advancements in model compression, quantization, and efficient generative modeling. Present findings to the team and contribute to publications or patents where applicable. Qualifications PhD or strong industry experience in Machine Learning, with a focus on model compression, distillation, or efficient deep learning. Strong understanding of diffusion models and their training/inference workflows. Proficiency in Python and PyTorch; familiarity with performance profiling and optimization. Experience with quantization, pruning, and low-rank adaptation techniques is a plus. A record of impactful work in model efficiency, either in research or production. Benefits Competitive compensation + equity 401k (no match) Healthcare (Silver PPO Medical, Vision, Dental) Lunch and snacks at the office We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement - we value curiosity, creativity, and the drive to solve hard problem #J-18808-Ljbffr

This is a job that we are recruiting for on behalf of one of our customers. To apply, speak to Jack. He's an AI agent that sends you unmissable jobs and then helps you ace the interview. He'll make sure you are considered for this role, and help you find others if you ask. Behavioral Research Scientist Salary: $140,000-$160,000 + Equity Company Description: VC-backed AI simulation platform Job Description: Shape the cognitive and behavioral foundations of AI agents for a cutting‑edge simulation engine. This role involves applying scientific depth to model decision‑making, attention, and heuristics, impacting how next‑generation digital products are designed. Join a team at the intersection of AI, behavioral science, and product experimentation, bringing real‑world impact to scalable systems. Location: San Francisco, USA Why this role is remarkable: Join a team creating category‑defining technology, building the simulation layer for adaptive software. Backed by top‑tier VCs and product/engineering leaders from leading tech companies. Apply deep behavioral science and cutting‑edge AI to solve complex product challenges with immediate impact. What you will do: Ground AI agents in validated behavioral and cognitive frameworks, modeling human decision‑making. Translate behavioral theories into practical agent architectures, defining user clusters and personas. Design and analyze in silico experiments to test agent responses and benchmark simulation realism. The ideal candidate: PhD or postdoc in Cognitive Science, Behavioral Economics, Psychology, or HCI. Proven experience conducting original research on decision‑making or behavioral modeling in digital contexts. Passionate about applying rigorous scientific research to real‑world, impactful AI systems. How to Apply: To apply for this job speak to Jack, our AI recruiter. Step 1. Visit our website Step 2. Click 'Speak with Jack'. Step 3. Login with your LinkedIn profile. Step 4. Talk to Jack for 20 minutes so he can understand your experience and ambitions Step 5. If the hiring manager would like to meet you, Jack will make the introduction #J-18808-Ljbffr

A technology firm specializing in neuroscience is seeking a Research Scientist focused on rodent behavior and neural imaging. The ideal candidate will design experiments, analyze neural data, and translate findings to human studies. Candidates should hold a PhD or postdoc in relevant fields and demonstrate proficiency in ultrasound neuromodulation techniques. This role is critical for advancing non-invasive brain research. #J-18808-Ljbffr

An innovative AI startup in San Francisco is looking for a Foundational AI Research Scientist to pioneer next-generation large-language-model architectures. Ideal candidates will have a deep understanding of sequence modeling architectures, expertise in PyTorch, and experience in pre-training large language models. Join a dynamic team to help shape the future of intelligent human-machine interfaces. #J-18808-Ljbffr

By applying to this role, you will be considered for Research Scientist roles across all teams at OpenAI. About The Role As a Research Scientist here, you will develop innovative machine learning techniques and advance the research agenda of the team you work on, while also collaborating with peers across the organization. We are looking for people who want to discover simple, generalizable ideas that work well even at large scale, and form part of a broader research vision that unifies the entire company. We Expect You To Have a track record of coming up with new ideas or improving upon existing ideas in machine learning, demonstrated by accomplishments such as first author publications or projects. Possess the ability to own and pursue a research agenda, including choosing impactful research problems and autonomously carrying out long-running projects. Be excited about OpenAI's approach to research. Nice To Have Interested in and thoughtful about the impacts of AI technology. Past experience in creating high-performance implementations of deep learning algorithms. About OpenAI OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. #J-18808-Ljbffr