AI Research Scientist: Autonomous Cloud Lab for Materials

University of California - Santa Barbara; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Santa Barbara seeks an AI Research Scientist to lead the AI and machine-learning capability at COAST PCL. The role focuses on autonomous experimentation, collaboration with faculty and students, and advancing AI-guided materials discovery.

The role requires a PhD in a relevant field and strong Python skills, with experience in ML, active learning, and design of experiments. It is a 1-year appointment with renewal potential and a start in Fall 2026.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field at time of application.
• Hands-on ML/AI with scientific data or databases.
• Proficiency in Python; experience with other languages encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML capability at COAST PCL.
• Spend 70% time on in-house research contributions.
• Publish papers and present at conferences; file IP disclosures.
• Collaborate with faculty, postdocs, and students.
• Develop and apply autonomous experimentation methods.

Skills

Python

ML/AI

Active learning

Bayesian optimization

Design of experiments

Collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in Materials Science/Physics/Chemistry/Engineering/CS

Tools

RDKit

CUDA

Job description

University of California - Santa Barbara seeks an AI Research Scientist to lead the AI and machine-learning capability at COAST PCL. The role focuses on autonomous experimentation, collaboration with faculty and students, and advancing AI-guided materials discovery.

The role requires a PhD in a relevant field and strong Python skills, with experience in ML, active learning, and design of experiments. It is a 1-year appointment with renewal potential and a start in Fall 2026.