Machine Learning Research Scientist

Job DescriptionMachine Learning Research Scientist\nRemote, United States | South San Francisco, CA\n\nOverview\nAn AI-first biotechnology company is advancing precision oncology through proprietary multimodal data and foundation models. Machine learning sits at the center of the company's scientific strategy, supported by one of the industry's largest proprietary multimodal oncology datasets combining deep spatial profiling with routine clinical assays.\n\nThe organization generates data purpose-built for machine learning, trains foundation models from scratch, and applies advanced research directly to drug discovery and therapeutic development.\n\nThe Opportunity\nThe Machine Learning Scientist will conduct original research and contribute to the development of next-generation biological foundation models.\n\nSuccess in this position requires strong scientific judgment, deep machine learning expertise, and the ability to independently move from an initial research question through model development, experimentation, evaluation, and conclusion. The position is an individual contributor research role with an emphasis on scientific rigor and intellectual contribution rather than production software engineering.\n\nResponsibilities\n• Design, implement, and train foundation models across large-scale multimodal biological datasets\n• Develop novel approaches for integrating information across biological scales and measurement modalities\n• Explore advanced approaches across self-supervised learning, representation learning, multimodal learning, and generative modeling\n• Identify meaningful benchmark tasks and design rigorous evaluation frameworks\n• Rapidly prototype research ideas and prioritize high-value experiments\n• Own research projects from initial concept through experimentation, analysis, and conclusion\n• Evaluate emerging technologies, including large language models and agentic systems, for scientific research workflows\n• Collaborate with machine learning researchers, computational scientists, biologists, and other domain experts\n• Communicate research findings across technical and scientific audiences\n• Contribute to publications, conference presentations, and broader scientific engagement\n\nAreas of Interest\n• Foundation Models\n• Self-Supervised Learning\n• Representation Learning\n• Computer Vision\n• Multimodal Learning\n• Large Language Models\n• Generative Modeling\n• Diffusion Models\n• Flow Matching\n• Autoregressive Models\n• Scientific Machine Learning\n\nQualifications\n• Demonstrated success conducting original machine learning research in a rigorous academic or industry environment\n• Strong publication record at leading machine learning conferences or evidence of significant research contributions within a respected industry research organization\n• Experience writing model architecture code and datasets in PyTorch, including model training and optimization\n• Deep knowledge of modern machine learning architectures and self-supervised learning approaches\n• Ability to independently formulate research ideas, build models, design evaluations, analyze results, and iterate based on findings\n• Strong research coding skills with the ability to develop robust implementations beyond traditional academic prototypes\n• PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Neuroscience, Physics, or another highly quantitative discipline strongly preferred\n\nPreferred Background\nExperience in one or more of the following areas is valuable but not required:\n• Computational Biology\n• Genomics\n• Drug Discovery\n• Molecular Modeling\n• Protein Structure Prediction\n• Structural Biology\n• Biochemistry\n• Scientific AI\n\nBiology experience is not required. Machine learning research excellence remains the primary hiring criterion. Relevant backgrounds may include computer vision, foundation models, language models, robotics, autonomous driving, reinforcement learning, and other advanced machine learning disciplines.\n\nCompensation\nBase Salary: $250,000–$288,000+, depending on experience and research background\nAdditional Compensation: Equity\n\nLocation & Work Authorization\nThe position may be performed fully remotely within the United States. Optional office access is available in South San Francisco.\n\nQuarterly co-working weeks bring the broader team together in South San Francisco for dedicated research, collaboration, and planning.\n\nCandidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Employment sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders).