Conversational Modelling Research Engineer

Tavus; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Tavus in San Francisco is seeking an AI Researcher to advance Foundation Multimodal Conversational Models and build AI Humans for real-time interactions.

You will prototype, fine-tune, and deploy VLMs, collaborate with Applied ML, and stay on the cutting edge of multimodal AI. The role blends research curiosity with engineering pragmatism in a fast-moving startup.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in a related field or equivalent research experience.
• Experience with Large Multimodal Models and generative language models.
• Experience in fine-tuning/adapting VLMs for control or downstream tasks.
• Strong background in deep learning and foundation models.
• Solid PyTorch skills and building deep learning pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on Large Multimodal Models in the context of Conversational Avatars (e.g. Neural Avatars, Talking-Heads).
• Develop methods to model verbal and non-verbal aspects of conversation, adapting and controlling avatar behavior in real time, with low-latency.
• Experiment with fine-tuning, adaptation, and conditioning techniques to make AudioVisual Multimodal Models more expressive, controllable, and task-specific.
• Partner with the Applied ML team to take research from prototype to production.
• Stay up to date with cutting-edge advancements — and help define what comes next.

Skills

PyTorch

Deep learning

Multimodal models

Speech/Audio/Video understanding

Model fine-tuning

Education

PhD or near completion

Job description

About Us

Tavus is a research lab pioneering human computing. We’re building AI Humans: a new interface that closes the gap between people and machines, free from the friction of today’s systems. Our real-time human simulation models let machines see, hear, respond, and even look real—enabling meaningful, face‑to‑face conversations. AI Humans combine the emotional intelligence of humans with the reach and reliability of machines, making them capable, trusted agents available 24/7, in every language, on our terms.

Imagine a friend who can discuss any topic with you. A personal trainer that adapts to your schedule. A fleet of medical assistants that can give every patient the attention they need. With Tavus, individuals, enterprises, and developers can all build AI Humans to connect, understand, and act with empathy at scale.

We’re a Series B company backed by world‑class investors including Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, and Scale Venture Partners.

Be part of shaping a future where humans and machines truly understand each other.

The Role

We’re looking for an AI Researcher to join our core AI team and push the boundaries of Foundation Multimodal Conversational Models. If you thrive in fast‑moving startup environments, enjoy experimenting with new ideas, and love seeing your work come to life in production then you’ll feel right at home.

Your Mission

• Conduct research on Large Multimodal Models in the context of Conversational Avatars (e.g. Neural Avatars, Talking-Heads).
• Develop methods to model both verbal and non‑verbal aspects of conversation, adapting and controlling avatar behavior in real time, with low‑latency.
• Experiment with fine‑tuning, adaptation, and conditioning techniques to make AudioVisual Multimodal Models, more expressive, controllable, and task‑specific.
• Partner with the Applied ML team to take research from prototype to production.
• Stay up to date with cutting‑edge advancements — and help define what comes next.

You’ll Be Great At This If You Have:

• A PhD (or near completion) in a relevant field, or equivalent research experience.
• Hands‑on experience with Large Multimodal Models and a strong foundation in generative (language) models. This could be in the context of tasks such as VQA, Audio/Video understanding tasks, captioning behavioral analysis, Translation tasks, Speech to Speech systems.
• Experience in fine‑tuning/adapting VLMs for control, conditioning, or downstream tasks.
• Solid background in deep learning and foundation models.
• Strong PyTorch skills and comfort building deep learning pipelines.

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Knowledge of large‑scale model training and optimization.
• Experience in duplex‑conversational model.
• Broader understanding of generative AI across modalities.
• Exposure to software development best practices.
• A flexible, experimental mindset i.e. comfortable working across research and engineering.
• (Bonus) Publications at EMNLP, COLING, NeurIPS, ICLR, CVPR, ICCV.

Location

Preferred: San Francisco (hybrid) or London.

Remote within the U.S. or Europe available for exceptional candidates.