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Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist Jobs in California

Senior Research Scientist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$115K - $147K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Research Scientist to contribute to the development of cutting-edge AI models, focusing on machine learning research and the practical deployment of large neural networks.

Research Scientist

Cupertino, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $300K/yr

We are looking for someone with expertise in and enthusiasm for machine learning research, especially in Robotics, Embodied AI, Reinforcement learning (RL) , etc. As a Research Scientist in the team ...

Research Scientist

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

We are looking for someone with expertise in and enthusiasm for machine learning research, especially in Robotics, Embodied AI, Reinforcement learning (RL) , etc. As a Research Scientist in the team ...

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Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist information

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract machine learning research scientist?

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 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.

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 the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs in California?

The most popular types of Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs in California?

For Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Machine Learning Research Scientist job openings:

Machine Learning Research Scientist

Autoscience Institute

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Autoscience Institute is focused on creating AI systems that autonomously conduct research, recently achieving a significant milestone with the first AI agent to create peer-reviewed literature. They are seeking a Machine Learning Research Scientist to develop autonomous research systems and collaborate with the engineering team to deploy production-ready solutions.
Responsibilities:
• 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:
Required:
• 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.
Preferred:
• Experience building scalable and production-ready machine learning pipelines or large-scale model training (distributed model training over >64 GPUs).
• Any background or proven interested in Automated Scientific Research is a plus.
Company:
We build AI systems that autonomously conduct AI research. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in San Mateo, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.