Principal Researcher (f/m/d) - Foundation and World Models on Structured Business Data

SAP SE; Garching bei München; Vor Ort; EUR 90.000 - 130.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Constant learning opportunities

Skill growth

Great benefits

Zusammenfassung

A leading software company in Garching bei München is seeking a Principal Researcher to drive advancements in foundation models on structured business data. The ideal candidate holds a PhD and a strong background in AI and machine learning, with a focus on collaboration between industry and academia. Responsibilities include defining research agendas and translating findings into scholarly publications, while contributing to groundbreaking AI developments. This full-time role offers a chance to work in an innovative environment with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifikationen

• PhD in Computer Science, AI, or related field.
• Strong research experience in Foundation Models and Machine Learning.
• Handling and analyzing large-scale structured data.

Aufgaben

• Drive technical advances in foundation models.
• Define research agenda for the team.
• Translate research breakthroughs into publications.

Kenntnisse

Research Vision for Foundation Models

Extensive research experience with machine learning

Proficiency in Python

Collaboration between industrial and academic research

Experience with ML frameworks

Ausbildung

PhD in Computer Science or related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Graph technologies

Jobbeschreibung

Principal Researcher (f/m/d) - Foundation and World Models on Structured Business Data

We help the world run better

At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We touch over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. What’s in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

What you’ll do

• Drive pioneering technical advances to the field of foundation models on structured data, as well as exploring world models for solving business problems.
• Expand the horizon of what is possible by bringing together rich semantic context with large‑scale business data.
• Define the research agenda for a small squad of research scientists and engineers.
• Enable academic research by providing Business AI relevant problem statements, frameworks, and data sets.
• Keep the pulse with novel research, providing insights into the latest research findings and making them comparable with internal work.
• Translate applied research breakthroughs into research publications at relevant top‑tier conferences and contribute to thought leadership in foundation and world models on structured data.
• Collaborate closely with various domain specialists and data owners to understand how the data can be used for world model training.
• Contribute to thought leadership in an entirely new field of Foundation and World Models on Structured Data.
• Work closely with the team developing the relational pre‑trained transformer (SAP‑RPT‑1) to exchange information and ensure that internal initiatives and project deliverables are aligned with community best practices.
• Collaborate with established academic partners and define new collaborations with top‑tier academic researchers.
• Supervise PhD students during summer internships or as part of academic collaborations.

What you bring

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, physics, mathematics or other relevant disciplines.
• Academic background in Foundation Models / Machine Learning on large‑scale structured data, or World Models, supported by a substantial record of related publications at top‑tier conferences and a well‑established network in these fields.
• A strong research vision for foundation models on structured data, and how world models impact the development of such foundation models.
• Extensive research experience with machine learning on structured data.
• Ideally, experience in Causal AI and how it relates to foundation models on structured data.
• Proven experience and deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with collaboration between industrial and academic research.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar; optionally hands‑on experience with graph technologies.
• Ideally, professional experience with the combination of knowledge graphs and large language models in the ERP domain.
• Proven history of leading projects with a strategic mindset complemented by superior organizational abilities.

Meet your team

SAP’s AI organization is dedicated to seamlessly infusing AI into all enterprise applications, enabling customers, partners, and developers to enhance business processes and generate remarkable business value. Join our international AI team where innovation thrives, opportunities for personal development abound, and exceptional colleagues collaborate globally.

Bring out your best

SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end‑to‑end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose‑driven and future‑focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We win with inclusion

SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well‑being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. SAP believes we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world. SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e‑mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team: [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 448468 | Work Area: Software‑Research | Expected Travel: 0 – 10% | Career Status: Professional | Employment Type: Regular Full Time #LI‑Hybrid

Posted Date: Feb 27, 2026

Location: Garching bei München, DE, 85748