Applied Researcher

Variant

San Francisco (CA)

On-site

USD 149,999 - 300,000

Full time

14 days+
Application generator

A complete application in a minute — tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

A technology company in San Francisco is hiring an Applied Researcher to work on deep neural networks and large language models. This entry-level role requires experience in a PhD program or industry, and proficiency in frameworks like PyTorch. You will design and evaluate models while collaborating with teams to turn concepts into reliable systems, backed by a well-capitalized firm with a commitment to impactful work.

Qualifications

  • 2+ years of experience in deep learning or applied research.
  • Hands-on experience with training neural networks.
  • Published at least one paper in deep learning.

Responsibilities

  • Design, train, and evaluate deep neural networks and LLMs.
  • Own experiments end-to-end: from hypotheses to results.
  • Collaborate with engineering and design teams.

Skills

Deep neural networks
PyTorch
Data analysis
Software engineering practices
UI design

Education

2+ years in PhD program or in industry

Job description

Join to apply for the Applied Researcher role at Variant

Overview

Variant is hiring an applied researcher to join our team in San Francisco. We are well-capitalized and focused on code generation with creativity and taste. This role involves designing, training, and evaluating deep neural networks and large language models (LLMs); prototyping quickly; turning promising ideas into reliable systems; collaborating with engineering and design; and communicating results clearly through papers, documentation, and crisp experiment reports.

Base pay range

$149,999.00/yr - $300,000.00/yr

Responsibilities
  • Design, train, and evaluate deep neural networks and LLMs
  • Own experiments end-to-end: hypotheses, datasets, metrics, results
  • Prototype fast; turn promising ideas into reliable systems
  • Collaborate with engineering and design to make ideas real
  • Write clearly: papers, docs, and crisp experiment reports
  • Don't compromise between rigor and shipping fast
  • See what needs to be done and do it
Minimum qualifications
  • 2+ years in PhD program or in industry
  • Experience training deep neural networks
  • Proficiency in frameworks like PyTorch
  • Published 1 or more papers in the subject of deep learning
Ideal qualifications
  • Experience training LLMs, including SFT, RL-based techniques, etc.
  • Experience in the domain of code generation
  • At least 1 paper accepted into a top conference
  • Proficiency in best software engineering practices
  • Repeated experience formulating, structuring, and answering open-ended questions
  • Passionate about visual design or UI design; prior work in the space

We’ve kept our team small by design. Your code will matter from day one, and its impact will compound over time. This will be the most meaningful work of your career. We work from a beautiful space in San Francisco where we dream up the future and make it real together. We’re well-capitalized and backed by notable investors. If you’ve built things you’re proud of, we’d love to see them.

Seniority level
  • Entry level
Employment type
  • Full-time
Job function
  • Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries
  • Technology, Information and Internet

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

Get your free, confidential resume review.

or drag and drop your file here.

Similar jobs

Similar jobs worth comparing

Applied AI Researcher: LLMs, Code Gen & Prototyping
Applied AI Researcher: LLMs, Code Gen & Prototyping

Variant • San Francisco (CA)

On-site
USD 149,999 - 300,000
Research Engineer - Applied Machine Learning
Research Engineer - Applied Machine Learning

Novateur Research Solutions • Ashburn (VA)

On-site
USD 80,000 - 120,000
Competitive pay
Generous healthcare options
401(k) with employer match
+2
Applied AI Researcher (Brazil)
Applied AI Researcher (Brazil)

Articul8 • Palo Alto (CA)

On-site
USD 120,000 - 160,000
Applied Research Engineer
Applied Research Engineer

My HR Solutions • San Francisco (CA)

On-site
USD 120,000 - 150,000
Applied AI Researcher (Dublin, CA)
Applied AI Researcher (Dublin, CA)

Articul8 AI • Dublin (CA)

On-site
USD 120,000 - 160,000
Research Engineer - Applied Machine Learning
Research Engineer - Applied Machine Learning

AIToolboard • United States

On-site
USD 120,000 - 170,000
Healthcare options
401(k) with employer match
Paid holidays and time off
+2
Applied Researcher II (AI Foundations, LLM Core and Agentic AI)
Applied Researcher II (AI Foundations, LLM Core and Agentic AI)

Capital One • McLean (VA)

On-site
USD 263,000 - 300,000
Research Scientist - Gen AI & User Representation Learning
Research Scientist - Gen AI & User Representation Learning

Predactiv, Inc. • United States

On-site
USD 150,000 - 230,000
Research Scientist
Research Scientist

Adaption Labs • New York (NY)

On-site
USD 120,000 - 160,000
Annual travel stipend to explore a new country
Weekly meal allowance
Comprehensive medical benefits
+1
RESEARCHER (GENERAL)
RESEARCHER (GENERAL)

MakerMaker.AI • San Francisco (CA)

On-site
USD 120,000 - 160,000