Lead AI Scientist

Danaher; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligible

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Danaher’s DHR Enterprise AI Solutions seeks a Lead AI Scientist to explore advanced AI methods and translate research into scalable enterprise capabilities. You will design experiments, collaborate with AI engineers, and produce production-ready prototypes that accelerate decision-making across operating companies.

The role requires hands-on Python, strong ML background, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences while mentoring teammates.

Qualifications

• Minimum master’s degree; PhD preferred.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, generative AI, statistics and experimental design.
• Hands-on Python and modern AI frameworks; experience with cloud/compute environments.
• Ability to translate research into reproducible enterprise-ready experiments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across research, engineering and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify and investigate emerging AI methods for high-value challenges across Danaher.
• Design rigorous experiments, benchmarks and evaluation approaches; ensure transparency of capabilities and risks.
• Develop and test novel modelling, reasoning, retrieval or agentic approaches with AI and software engineers.
• Translate research findings into reusable methods and production-minded prototypes for wider adoption.
• Communicate complex scientific concepts to technical and business audiences; mentor colleagues in advanced AI practices.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning

Generative AI

Experimental design

Communication skills

Cloud computing

Education

Master's degree in AI/CS/ML

PhD preferred

5 years post-master experience

Tools

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Python data science tools

Job description

Bring more to life.
At Danaher, our work saves lives. And each of us plays a part. Fueled by our culture of continuous improvement, we turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.
Our 60,000+ associates work across the globe at more than 15 unique businesses within life sciences, diagnostics, and biotechnology.
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference? At Danaher, you can build an incredible career at a leading science and technology company, where we’re committed to hiring and developing from within. You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter.
DHR Enterprise AI Solutions is Danaher's enterprise AI engineering capability, responsible for identifying opportunities, building and scaling reusable AI solutions, and accelerating measurable business impact across operating companies. We combine product, architecture, AI science, engineering and operations to industrialize AI, establish enterprise standards and enable the next generation of AI-powered products, workflows, applications and decision-making.
The Lead AI Scientist must understand AI algorithms at a scientific level, including their development, progression, and interaction with data. The Lead AI Scientist must be highly proficient in Python and capable of performing hands‑on technical work rather than operating primarily as a people manager. Candidates should have held at least a senior or lead position, although a technically hands‑on director from a startup could also be considered. The role may mentor junior AI engineers and scientists but will not have direct reports.
We look forward to welcoming you to our organization. In DHR Enterprise AI Solutions, you will be responsible for exploring and validating emerging AI methods, designing rigorous evaluations and turning promising research into practical capabilities that Danaher can industrialize and scale. This hybrid role will require working occasionally in our Boston facility.

In This Role, You Will Have The Opportunity To

• Identify and investigate emerging AI methods with potential to address high-value scientific, operational or commercial challenges across Danaher.
• Design rigorous experiments, benchmarks and evaluation approaches that make capability, limitations and risk transparent.
• Develop and test novel modelling, reasoning, retrieval or agentic approaches in partnership with AI and software engineers.
• Translate research findings into clear recommendations, reusable methods and production-minded prototypes for wider adoption.
• Communicate complex scientific concepts to technical and business audiences and mentor colleagues in advanced AI practices.

The Essential Requirements Of The Job Include

• Minimum master’s degree, with a PhD preferred. Relevant disciplines include artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, computer science, mathematics, physics, or a related subject. Candidates without a PhD should have approximately five years of experience following completion of a master’s degree. PhD work may satisfy the experience expectation.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, generative AI, statistical methods and experimental design.
• Ability to move from literature and emerging research to reproducible experiments and practical enterprise applications.
• Hands‑on proficiency with Python, modern AI frameworks, evaluation methods and relevant cloud or compute environments.
• Sound scientific judgement, intellectual curiosity and the ability to challenge assumptions with evidence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across research, engineering and business audiences.
• Ability to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally, as needed, to support program delivery, business engagement, partner coordination, audits, training, or operational readiness.

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Applied AI research or advanced model-development programs.
• Designing model, agent or system evaluation frameworks.
• Transferring research innovations into enterprise products or production solutions.

Danaher offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job.
Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info.
The annual salary range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.
This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.
We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
For more information, visit www.danaher.com.
Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.
The U.S. EEO posters are available here.
For candidates who are based outside of New York City or who are applying for roles outside of New York City, for more information about conditions of any job offer.
We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact:1-202-419-7762 or [e-mail].