Chief Research Scientist

DeepRec.ai; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

DeepRec.ai is seeking a Chief Research Scientist to lead frontier AI research and translate advanced ideas into scalable technologies with real-world impact. You will explore emerging AI directions, prototype rapidly, and shape investment decisions at a global scale.

You'll guide a team of researchers, publish and present work, and engage with leading researchers to push the field forward. This is a strategic research leadership role, not a pure engineering manager.

Qualifications

• 10+ years across AI/ML research or advanced R&D.
• PhD-level depth or equivalent industry experience.
• -track record of publications, patents, conference contributions or thought leadership.
• Deep expertise across foundation models, LLMs and emerging AI architectures.
• Ability to spot research trends early and translate into experiments.
• Experience taking AI beyond theory into real-world environments.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging AI research, models and architectures with future potential.
• Rapidly prototype and experiment to test ideas beyond research papers.
• Determine which technologies warrant deeper investment and development.
• Translate promising research into real-world applications.
• Influence long-term AI strategy with senior leadership.
• Build and mentor a high-caliber research team.

Skills

Frontier AI research

Research leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Education

PhD or equivalent research experience

Job description

Chief Research Scientist - Industrial AI

We’re partnering with a major global technology organisation to appoint a Chief Research Scientist, focused on identifying what’s next in AI and translating frontier research into technologies with significant real-world impact.

This is a rare opportunity to explore frontier AI research with the resources and scale to turn emerging ideas into technology used across some of the world's most complex environments.

This is not a traditional AI delivery or engineering leadership role. We’re looking for a recognised AI research leader who operates ahead of the curve — someone who can anticipate where the field is heading over the next 6–12 months, investigate emerging research directions, rapidly test new ideas, and determine which technologies are worth pursuing before they become mainstream.

The opportunity

You’ll operate at the intersection of frontier AI research, experimentation and technology strategy, with the scope to explore emerging capabilities and influence where a global organisation invests next.

You will:

• Identify emerging AI research, models and architectures with significant future potential.


• Rapidly prototype and experiment with new approaches to understand what works beyond the research paper.


• Determine which emerging technologies warrant deeper investment and development.


• Take promising research concepts from early exploration towards real-world application.


• Influence long-term AI strategy alongside senior technical and business leadership.


• Build and mentor a team of exceptional AI researchers and technologists.


• Develop an external presence within the AI research community through conferences, publications and thought leadership.

Who we're looking for

This role requires a frontier AI research profile rather than a standard applied AI delivery background.

You may currently be working within a leading research lab, frontier AI company, advanced R&D organisation or highly research-driven technology environment.

We’re particularly interested in:

• 10+ years across AI/ML research, advanced R&D or emerging technology.


• PhD-level research depth or equivalent industry experience.


• A strong record of publications, patents, conference contributions or recognised technical thought leadership.


• Deep expertise across foundation models, LLMs and emerging AI architectures.


• The ability to spot important research trends early and translate them into experiments and prototypes.


• Experience taking advanced AI beyond theory and into complex, real-world environments.The technical credibility to engage with leading researchers alongside the communication skills to influence executive leadership.


• Experience building, mentoring or leading high-calibre research teams.

This is for someone who doesn't just want to work with today's AI capabilities, but wants to help determine what comes next.