Research Scientist IV - Digital Safety Research Institute

Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; Evanston (IL); Remote; USD 119,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus compensation

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous 401k matching

Paid time off

Job summary

UL Research Institutes is offering an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist IV focused on developing advanced AI safety systems. This remote-based role involves designing and evaluating AI across areas like natural language processing and computer vision.

You will collaborate with a diverse team, contributing to safety science for nearly 130 years while gaining valuable experience in AI innovation. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Computer Science with significant research experience.

Qualifications

• Mastery-level knowledge of AI safety in specialty area.
• 4+ years of related research experience.
• Independently solving engineering research challenges.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews in AI.
• Design and develop AI software.
• Create evaluations of AI systems.

Skills

AI safety expertise

Software engineering

Team leadership

Technical guidance

Problem-solving

Education

PhD in Computer Science

Job description

Job Description We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist IV at UL Research Institutes. This is a remote-based opportunity. The Research Scientist/Engineer IV advances Digital Safety’s mission by designing, developing, and evaluating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) safety systems across specialty areas including natural language processing (NLP), computer vision (CV), signal processing (SP), and AI reasoning. This role creates advanced AI tool components and applies these skills to develop scientifically rigorous assessments of AI systems.

UL Research Institutes: At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge. Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Digital Safety teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Digital Safety Research Institute: The Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI) addresses unresolved safety risks and emerging dangers in the world’s digital ecosystem. We aim to help protect people from unwanted access to personal devices and privacy, algorithm, and disinformation threats by working to create a new digital safety ecosystem. DSRI is committed to sharing digital safety insights, collaborating with key stakeholders, and offering extensive outreach and education to help support safer digital environments for people everywhere.

What you’ll learn and achieve:

• Conduct literature and open-source reviews AI in their specialty area.
• Design, plan, and develop AI software utilizing digital safety best practices.
• Apply technical, diagnostic, and troubleshooting skills to resolve complex AI and software engineering challenges.
• Design, plan, and create statistically meaningful evaluations of AI systems in their specialty area.
• Prepare written component documentation for technical audiences.
• Works closely with team members to ensure that all processes are accurate and technically sound.

What you’ll experience working at UL Research Institutes:

We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do. People: Our people make us special. You’ll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today’s global challenges require. Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what’s on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You’ll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good. Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs. Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

Total Rewards:

• All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation.
• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay.
• Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment.
• Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager.
• We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

• Demonstrates mastery-level knowledge of AI safety in their specialty area and how their assessment work integrates into safer AI systems for users.
• Solves engineering research challenges independently and efficiently through integrated safety testing.
• Engages team members and leads them through the problem-solving process in their specialty areas.
• Independently creates digital safety system components that range in novelty and complexity across different digital safety areas.
• Provides technical guidance and mentorship junior-level team members on work-related assignments and projects, as necessary.
• Serves as a resource by junior-level colleagues for guidance and best practices in the research area.
• Leads a team to execute distinct AI or software engineering workstreams.
• Looks ahead to research and tool development next steps and forecasts end-user needs.
• Engages in standards technical committees.
• Develops and maintains relationships within the broader AI and safety research community.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• PhD in Computer Science with a focus in the applicable AI area of specialty plus 4 or more years of directly related research experience.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being. To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.

Salary Range: $119,260.28-$163,982.88 Pay Type: Salary