Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Scientist (25 Hours/12 Months)

California Baptist University; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

California Baptist University seeks an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist for a grant-funded, part-time role (25 hours/week, 12 months). The position supports design, development, and deployment of advanced AI solutions within the Defense Innovation Network Assistant (DINA) initiative.

Collaboration with faculty, engineers, and students is essential to advance sponsored research objectives and real‑world applications.

Qualifications

• PhD in AI/CS or closely related field is required.
• Post-doctoral, industry, academic, or applied research experience in AI is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop, validate, and deploy AI models, algorithms, and data pipelines.
• Design, implement, optimize, and maintain scalable AI solutions across cloud environments.
• Develop and maintain RAG frameworks to improve information retrieval and contextual reasoning.
• Design and implement knowledge graphs and vector search architectures for decision support.
• Lead development, fine-tuning, evaluation, benchmarking, and optimization of large language models.
• Build and deploy AI-powered agents for workflows and autonomous tasks.
• Develop Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech technologies and related APIs.
• Implement secure AI development practices and data governance.
• Collaborate with researchers, engineers, students, and external partners to advance initiatives.
• Conduct applied research and identify opportunities for innovation and impact.
• Prepare technical reports, publications, and project deliverables for sponsors.
• Maintain compliance with grant requirements and university policies.
• Assist with proposal development and grant support activities.
• Mentor student researchers and project team members.
• Contribute to scholarly dissemination through publications and demonstrations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

AI research

Machine learning

Natural language processing

RAG (retrieval-augmented generation)

Knowledge graphs

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

LangChain

Azure

AWS

GCP

MLOps

Cybersecurity basics

Education

PhD in AI/CS or closely related field

Tools

Neo4j

Vector databases

LangChain

Job description

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Scientist (25 Hours/12Months)

Posting Number

S1723P

Pay Range

Compensation for this position is expected to be $65.00 perhour, in alignment with what California Baptist University (CBU ) reasonably anticipates paying for this role. The final ratemay vary depending on the candidate's qualifications, experience,and prevailing market conditions. In addition to competitive wages, CBU provides a comprehensive and generous benefits packageto eligible employees.

Position Summary Information

The AI Research Scientist role is a grant-funded, part-timeposition within the College of Engineering that supports the research, design, development, and deployment of advancedartificial intelligence solutions in support of the DefenseInnovation Network Assistant ( DINA ) initiative. The positionconducts applied and translational research in machine learning,natural language processing ( NLP ), retrieval-augmented generation( RAG ), intelligent agents, knowledge graphs, speech technologies,and AI-enabled decision support systems. Working collaboratively with faculty researchers, engineers,students, and external partners, the AI Research Scientist developsinnovative AI technologies that advance sponsored researchobjectives and support real-world applications. The positioncontributes to technical research, software development, grantinitiatives, publications, technology demonstrations, anddeployment of scalable AI solutions while mentoring studentresearchers and fostering hands-on experiential learningopportunities.

GRANT - FUNDED POSITION DEFINITION :

This position isfunded, in whole or in part, through external grant funding.Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of grantfunds and the ongoing operational needs of the University. Shouldgrant funding be reduced, exhausted, discontinued, or otherwisebecome unavailable, the University reserves the right to modify,reduce, or eliminate the position, including changes to duties,work hours, or employment status, in accordance with applicablepolicies and business needs. While the University may evaluateopportunities to continue the position through alternative fundingsources, no guarantee of continued employment exists beyond theavailability of designated grant funding. Decisions regarding thecontinuation, modification, or conclusion of the position remainwithin the sole discretion of the University.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Research, develop, validate, and deploy AI models, algorithms,and data pipelines for processing large-scale structured andunstructured datasets using machine learning, natural languageprocessing, semantic search, and knowledge graphtechnologies.
2. Design, implement, optimize, and maintain secure, scalable, andhigh-performance AI solutions across cloud and hybrid computingenvironments, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services ( AWS), and Google Cloud Platform ( GCP ).
3. Develop, enhance, and maintain retrieval-augmented generation (RAG ) frameworks to improve information retrieval, contextualreasoning, and intelligent recommendations.
4. Design and implement solutions utilizing knowledge graphs,vector databases, vector search technologies, and relatedarchitectures to support advanced decision support systems andintelligent applications.
5. Lead the development, fine-tuning, evaluation, benchmarking, andoptimization of large language models (LLMs) and other AItechnologies to support research and operational objectives.
6. Design, build, and deploy AI-powered agents capable of executingworkflows, automating complex tasks, and delivering context-awareinsights and recommendations.
7. Develop, integrate, and maintain Speech-to-Text ( STT ),Text-to-Speech ( TTS ), and related conversational AI technologiesand APIs.
8. Implement secure AI development practices, data governancecontrols, privacy safeguards, and cybersecurity measures supportingsensitive and enterprise-level environments.
9. Collaborate with faculty, software engineers, data scientists,students, and external stakeholders to advance sponsored researchinitiatives and develop innovative AI-enabled solutions.
10. Conduct applied research, evaluate emerging AI technologies,and identify opportunities for innovation, process improvement, andtechnology advancement.
11. Prepare technical reports, research summaries, presentations,publications, and other project deliverables required by fundingagencies, sponsors, University leadership, and projectstakeholders.
12. Maintain compliance with grant requirements, Universitypolicies, research protocols, data security standards, andapplicable regulatory requirements governing sponsored researchactivities.
13. Assist with proposal development, grant support activities, andsponsored research initiatives as assigned.
14. Mentor student researchers, graduate assistants, and projectteam members by providing technical guidance, research mentoring,and professional development support.
15. Contribute to scholarly dissemination activities, includingpublications, presentations, conferences, technical demonstrations,and other research communication efforts, as appropriate.
16. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned insupport of departmental, grant, and University objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.However, the incumbent may provide project leadership, technicaldirection, mentorship, and research guidance to studentresearchers, graduate assistants, and project team members.

Other Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to living out and upholding theUniversity's Christ-centered mission and values.
• Advanced knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning,deep learning, and modern AI architectures.
• Expertise in natural language processing ( NLP ),retrieval-augmented generation ( RAG ), semantic search, knowledgegraphs, and graph-based reasoning systems.
• Experience designing, developing, and deploying enterprise-scaleAI applications and intelligent decision support systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and modern AI developmentframeworks, such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, DSPy, orcomparable technologies.
• Experience with Neo4j, vector databases, vector searchtechnologies, and knowledge management architectures.
• Experience with large language models (LLMs), foundation models,agentic AI systems, and AI workflow orchestration.
• Knowledge of Speech-to-Text ( STT ), Text-to-Speech ( TTS ), and conversational AI technologies.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure, AWS, GCP, and cloud-native AI solution development.
• Understanding of MLOps, model deployment, monitoring, evaluation,explainability, and responsible AI practices.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, data governance, privacyregulations, and secure AI development methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and projectmanagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams and collaborative research environments.
• Ability to mentor students and communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projectdeliverables in a dynamic research environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical demands described herein arerepresentative of those required to successfully perform theessential functions of this position. While performing the dutiesof this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand,walk, speak, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer,keyboard, and other standard office equipment. The employee mustpossess sufficient visual acuity to read printed materials, analyzeelectronic data, and perform computer-based work. Effectivecommunication in person, virtually, and by telephone is required.Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of materials weighing up to15 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made toenable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform theessential functions of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The work environment characteristicsdescribed herein are representative of those encountered whileperforming the essential functions of this position. Work isprimarily performed in a professional office, laboratory, orresearch environment utilizing computer and information technologysystems. Noise levels are generally moderate and consistent with a professional office setting. The position may require participationin virtual meetings, collaborative research activities,conferences, training sessions, and occasional on-campus events.Minimal exposure to adverse environmental conditions or health andsafety hazards is expected.

Education and/or Experience

A Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Artificial Intelligence,Machine Learning, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, DataScience, Electrical Engineering, Natural Language Processing, or a closely related field is required.One (1) to five (5) years of post-doctoral, industry, academic, or applied research experience in artificial intelligence, machinelearning, or related technologies is preferred. Equivalentcombinations of education, research, and professional experiencethat demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary toperform the essential functions of the position may beconsidered.Experience participating in interdisciplinary research anddevelopment initiatives involving advanced AI technologies ishighly desirable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing and deploying enterprise-scale AIapplications and decision support systems.
• Record of scholarly achievement through publications,presentations, patents, or other recognized researchcontributions.
• Experience with transformer-based architectures and foundation models, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral, BERT, DSPy,STORM, or comparable technologies.
• Experience in retrieval-augmented generation ( RAG ), agentic AI system, vector databases, LLM fine-tuning, and production AIdeployments.
• Experience with MLOps practices, model governance, and monitoringframeworks.
• Experience supporting sponsored research, grant-funded initiatives, proposal development, or externally funded projects.
• Experience collaborating with government, defense, industry, or academic research partners.

Nondiscrimination Statement

State and Federal law permit California Baptist University to discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its purpose. The University does not discriminate contrary to either State or Federal law.