Applied Research Scientist

Natural Factors; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Applied Research Scientist to lead innovative AI Trust and Safety research. This role offers the chance to collaborate with top researchers and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in AI. You will be responsible for shaping a research agenda that addresses key gaps in the trust and safety landscape, guiding cross-functional teams, and ensuring the successful execution of impactful projects. The position promises a dynamic work environment where your contributions will drive meaningful change in AI adoption and safety practices. If you are passionate about AI and eager to make a difference, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Professional development activities

Competitive compensation

Paid time off

Flexible health benefits

Access to community events

Qualifications

• 5+ years in applied machine learning with a strong publication record.
• Experience in trust and safety research landscapes.
• Ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI Trust and Safety research projects and validate proposals.
• Provide scientific thought leadership across industry and ML domains.
• Oversee the successful implementation of high-impact research projects.

Skills

Machine Learning

Python

AI Trust and Safety

Data Analysis

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Ph.D. in Machine Learning

Tools

Scikit-learn

Pytorch

Tensorflow

Pandas

Optuna

Wandb

lightgbm/XGBoost

SciPy

Job description

“This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge AI research in Trust and Safety — driving innovation, building trust, and enabling adoption of AI. You’ll collaborate with leading researchers and practitioners to turn breakthroughs into real-world impact. There’s so much meaningful work ahead and we’re eager to build it together.”

- Alyssa Lefaivre Škopac | Director, AI Trust and Safety

About Amii

One of Canada’s three main institutes for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, our world-renowned researchers drive fundamental and applied research at the University of Alberta (and other academic institutions), training some of the world’s top scientific talent. Our cross-functional teams work collaboratively with Alberta-based businesses and organizations to build AI capacity and translate scientific advancement into industry adoption and economic impact.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of AI Trust and Safety, the Applied Research Scientist will lead innovative research on AI Trust and Safety, with a focus on advanced AI systems and systemic societal risks. They will contribute to shaping an agile research agenda that aligns with Amii’s strengths, addresses key gaps in the trust and safety landscape, and aligns with priority research areas identified by the Canadian AI Safety Institute (CAISI).

The Applied Research Scientist will leverage research outputs—such as academic papers, whitepapers, conference presentations, and practical tools—to establish Amii as a thought leader in AI safety. Their work will advance understanding of AI risks, drive the development of more trustworthy AI systems, and support responsible AI adoption.

The position focuses on achieving excellence in three main accountabilities:

• Trust and Safety AI Research Projects: Define and validate all projects in the Trust and Safety research portfolio.
• Leadership & Strategy: Provide scientific thought leadership across industry and ML domains.
• Project Execution: Ensure successful implementation and delivery on our most ambitious Trust and Safety projects.

Required Skills / Expertise

Key Responsibilities:

Trust and Safety Research Projects

• Develops and proposes detailed proposals for T&S Research projects, including objectives, scope, methodologies, and resource requirements
• Conducts thorough validation of project feasibility, assessing technical requirements, potential risks, and alignment with organizational goals
• Regularly reviews and updates project plans to adapt to new insights, technologies, or shifts in industry trends
• Connects existing research, leveraging insights to drive new project development
• Writes and publishes scientific and white papers
• Develops algorithms and tools to work on real-world systems and simulations
• Analyzes and leverages research data in T&S in both structured and unstructured environments
• Finds opportunities for collaboration with either research institutions and projects in Canada and internationally

Leadership & Strategy

• Stays current with advancements in AI, ML and T&S, offering cutting-edge insights and guidance
• Guides additional team members, including ML Engineers, Applied Scientists, post-docs etc. in the T&S portfolio
• Supports, multi-stakeholder discussions to establish the technical and strategic direction for T&S projects
• Mentors and provides strategic advice on complex T&S projects
• Develops and communicates a clear vision and strategy for T&S at Amii
• Represents the organization at conferences, workshops, and industry events, sharing knowledge and building a reputation as a thought leader in AI T&S
• Supports with reporting requirements and generating insights on our trust and safety impact for key funding and government bodies

Project Execution

• Oversees the successful implementation of high-impact T&S research projects
• Manages cross-functional teams, coordinates project timelines, and resolves challenges to ensure project success
• Evaluates project results to assess performance and determine whether to continue, pivot, or discontinue research projects
• Provides technical guidance and support to junior team members

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Machine Learning or related field with relevant experience in Machine Learning
• 5+ years of experience developing, training and evaluating machine learning models in an applied setting, including a solid publication record
• Experience or interest in the trust and safety research landscapes and areas of research focus
• Proficient in Python, experience in other programming languages i.e. Java or SQL (nice to have)
• Proficient with machine learning tools and frameworks such as Scikit-learn, Pytorch/Tensorflow, Pandas, Optuna, Wandb, lightgbm/XGBoost, and SciPy
• Expert understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a range of ML techniques across supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning
• Foundational and current knowledge of cutting-edge advancements in ML/AI
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates presence, self-confidence, sound judgment, and superior problem-solving ability
• Strong interpersonal communication skills for effective interactions with internal departments and external stakeholders
• A motivated leader who demonstrates individual drive and an uncompromising desire to achieve exceptional results
• Promotes high-level cross-functional collaboration and establishes credibility while influencing peers to achieve common goals
• Demonstrates professional maturity, resourcefulness and self-discipline in engaging in the pursuit of the organization’s goals
• Able to work independently and make informed decisions while collaborating with staff and subject matter experts
• Active participation in the research community: publishing research, serving as research reviewers, supporting Amii students, speaking or teaching within their area of expertise

What you'll love about us

• A professional yet casual work environment that encourages the growth and development of your skills
• Participate in professional development activities
• Gain access to the Amii community and events
• A chance to learn from amazing teammates who support one another to succeed
• Competitive compensation, including paid time off and flexible health benefits
• A modern office located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta

How to Apply

If this sounds like the opportunity you've been waiting for, please don’t wait to apply - we’re excited to add a new member to the Amii team for this position. We are keeping the door open to new applicants until we find the right fit. When sending your application, please send your resume and cover letter indicating why you think you'd be a fit for Amii. In your cover letter, please include one professional accomplishment you are most proud of and why.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada at the time of application.

Amii is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. Accommodations for disability-related needs throughout the recruitment and selection process are available upon request. Any information provided by you for accommodations will be kept confidential and won’t be used in the selection process.