ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist Jobs

SmarterDx

Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist

$220K/yr

Role As a Machine Learning Research Scientist, you will lead groundbreaking ML research and development at SmarterDx, collaborating closely with experienced engineers and clinicians to turn your ...

DISCO

Senior Machine Learning Scientist

Austin, TX · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist to lead the development of advanced algorithms and methodologies, mentor junior researchers, and manage complex research initiatives.

DISCO

Senior Machine Learning Scientist

Austin, TX · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Your Impact The Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist is a key contributor to DISCO's machine learning and AI research initiatives, leading the development of advanced algorithms and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsContract Machine Learning Research Scientist Jobs

Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist information

See salary details

$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

How much do contract machine learning research scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract machine learning research scientist in the United States is $130,117.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist, you need advanced knowledge of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and a graduate degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. Expertise with programming languages such as Python or R, familiarity with ML frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, and experience using version control systems are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills set standout candidates apart in collaborative and fast-paced research environments. These skills are crucial for developing innovative solutions, interpreting complex data, and delivering high-quality research outcomes within contractual timelines.

What does a Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist do?

A Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist is a professional hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and implement machine learning models and algorithms. They collaborate with teams to analyze data, conduct experiments, and improve AI systems, often in academic, industrial, or commercial settings. Their work typically involves researching new techniques, publishing findings, and translating research into practical applications. Since they work on a contract basis, their roles may vary depending on the project's needs and duration.

What is the difference between Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist vs Data Scientist?

AspectContract Machine Learning Research ScientistData Scientist
CredentialsMaster's or PhD in CS, ML, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in CS, Statistics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D teams, academic collaborationsBusiness analytics, product teams, data-driven decision making
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, startupsFinance, healthcare, e-commerce, tech firms

Contract Machine Learning Research Scientists focus on developing new algorithms and conducting research, often in academic or R&D settings. Data Scientists analyze data to generate insights and support business decisions. While both roles require strong ML knowledge, the research scientist role emphasizes innovation and experimentation, whereas data scientists focus on applying existing models to real-world problems.

What are some common challenges faced by contract machine learning research scientists when working on short-term projects?

Contract machine learning research scientists often encounter challenges such as limited timeframes to achieve research milestones, quickly adapting to new domains or datasets, and efficiently integrating with existing teams. As short-term contributors, they must rapidly understand the project's context and deliver impactful results within strict deadlines. Clear communication and proactive collaboration with permanent staff are essential to ensure alignment with project goals and to maximize the value delivered during the contract period.
More about Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs? The most popular types of Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs are:
Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 15% Full Time, 3% Temporary, and 79% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Machine Learning Research Scientist

Autoscience

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Company Description

At Autoscience Institute, we create AI systems that autonomously conduct AI research. Recently, we announced the first AI agent to autonomously create peer-reviewed literature (ICLR 2025 Workshops). We are passionate about pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and contributing to groundbreaking advancements in the field.

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role for a Machine Learning Research Scientist located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

  • Work directly with the founder to develop autonomous research systems that ideate, experiment, and improve customer models.

  • Collaborate with the engineering team to build and deploy production-ready research systems.

  • RL post-train and fine-tune reasoning models to automate components of the machine learning research process.

  • Stay current with the latest developments in AI research and automation.

Qualifications:

  • Education: PhD or equivalent research experience in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field. Exceptional candidates with strong research contributions are encouraged to apply regardless of formal degree.

  • Research: Publishing in top-tier AI/ML conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, etc) or equivalent industry experience at corporate AI research labs (Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, TRI etc).

  • Technical: Expertise in training machine learning models, including deep learning, reinforcement learning or genetic algorithms. This does not include building multi-agent systems using LLM APIs or building RAG-based agents.

  • Curiosity: Passion for accelerating scientific discovery through AI and willingness to explore uncharted directions with minimal supervision.

Recommended Qualifications

  • Systems: Experience building scalable and production-ready machine learning pipelines or large-scale model training (distributed model training over >64 GPUs).

  • Science: Any background or proven interested in Automated Scientific Research is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

  • Competitive salary and equity package

  • Unlimited PTO and flexible working arrangements

  • Conference attendance and publication support

Our Culture

We're a team of passionate researchers and engineers working to automate scientific discovery. We believe in the power of AI to accelerate scientific discovery and are committed to responsible AI development
We are an e-verify employer.

Compensation Range: $200K - $300K