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Machine Learning Research Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LLNL

Machine Learning Research Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$9.8K/wk

This position is in the Center for Applied Scientific Computing (CASC) Division within the Computing Directorate. Essential Duties * Research, develop, implement, and evaluate new machine learning ...

LLNL

Machine Learning Research Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$146K - $222K/yr

This position is in the Center for Applied Scientific Computing (CASC) Division within the Computing Directorate. Essential Duties * Research, develop, implement, and evaluate new machine learning ...

SmarterDx

Staff Machine Learning Research Scientist

$220K - $260K/yr

As a Staff Machine Learning Research Scientist at SmarterDx, you will set technical direction for cutting-edge ML research and translate it into real-world clinical impact. You'll work at the ...

ISEE

Research Scientist - Machine Learning

... Conducting research in the areas of: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning ... in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical ...

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Machine Learning Research Scientist information

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$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

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

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for 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 in the Machine Learning Research Scientist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Machine Learning Research Scientist, you need a strong background in mathematics, statistics, programming (typically Python or similar), and experience with machine learning frameworks, usually supported by an advanced degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, and proficiency in data handling and cloud platforms is highly valued, alongside certifications like Google Cloud ML Engineer as a plus. Innovative thinking, strong communication, and effective problem-solving skills help set exceptional researchers apart. Mastery of both technical and soft skills is essential for developing impactful models, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, and staying ahead in this fast-evolving field.

What are the typical projects and daily responsibilities for a Machine Learning Research Scientist?

As a Machine Learning Research Scientist, your typical projects may include developing novel algorithms, conducting experiments on large datasets, implementing and tuning models, and publishing research findings. Your daily responsibilities often involve coding, data analysis, reading the latest literature, collaborating with engineers and product teams, and participating in internal discussions about research direction. You may also mentor junior researchers, contribute to open-source projects, and present results at conferences or internal meetings. This role offers a dynamic work environment where continuous learning and innovative problem-solving are highly encouraged.

What is a Machine Learning Research Scientist job?

A Machine Learning Research Scientist develops new algorithms and models to advance the field of artificial intelligence. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and publish research to push the boundaries of machine learning theory and applications. Their work often involves designing novel architectures, optimizing existing models, and collaborating with engineers to bring research into production. This role typically requires a deep understanding of mathematics, statistics, and programming, along with experience in areas like deep learning, reinforcement learning, or probabilistic modeling.

More about Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs? Cities with the most 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 Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs are:
Machine Learning Research Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Machine Learning Research Scientist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.
AI Research Scientist, Adaptive Behavior Systems

AI Research Scientist, Adaptive Behavior Systems

Toyota Research Institute

Los Altos, CA • On-site

$176K - $253K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team advancing the state of the art in AI, robotics, driving, and material sciences.


The Team 
 
TRI’s Adaptive Behavior Systems Department within our Human-Centered AI (HCAI) Division aims to develop AI systems that can support behavior change, such as reducing carbon emissions. To do this, we are developing novel models of human behavior that integrate behavioral science, Human-Computer Interaction, and advanced machine learning.
 
The Opportunity
 
We are looking for an AI Research Scientist or Senior AI Scientist with expertise in large-scale foundational model training, fine-tuning, evaluation, and benchmarking. This role operates at the forefront of generative machine learning and human behavior modeling. Ideal candidates will bring a strong research track record, hands-on experimentation skills, and experience developing and deploying foundational models. This role sits at the intersection of social science and generative AI, building models that represent human beliefs, preferences, and cognition as they change over time. For an example of our early research in this vein, please see https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.20252.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct machine learning research that integrates behavioral science concepts to push the boundaries of knowledge and the state of the art in Human-Centered AI.
  • Develop and evaluate generative AI and machine learning methods for modeling and understanding human behavior.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with researchers in multiple fields, as well as university partners.
  • Stay up to date on the state-of-the-art in machine learning theories, methods and tooling.
  • Collaborate with scientists in the Adaptive Behavioral Systems Department to shape our research program and to communicate research to Toyota stakeholders.
  • Publish research findings in academic journals and/or conferences.
  • Contribute to technology transfer of research insights and prototypes throughout Toyota.
Qualifications
  • PhD in computer science, machine learning, or a closely related field with 1-7 years of experience in machine learning research or related projects in an industry setting, particularly in areas related to LLM training or large-scale ML. Industry experience is a plus. 
  • A strong publication record in ML, NLP, deep learning, or related fields.
  • Awareness of current machine learning research and the ability to critically evaluate emerging techniques and literature.
  • Experience with LLM/MLLM pretraining, fine-tuning (e.g., SFT, RLHF) and agentic systems.
  • Proficiency in  Python and modern deep learning frameworks such as Pytorch or Tensorflow
  • Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and functions.
  • Ability to balance multiple projects, including short-term and those that may span several years.
  • Strong project management skills and desire to work on cutting-edge open-ended research projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently identify research opportunities, formulate well-scoped problems, and lead research projects end-to-end.
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while soliciting feedback.
  • Strong interpersonal skills. Great teammate.
Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience with one or more of the following areas: diffusion models, uncertainty modeling, reinforcement learning, and physiological signal processing.
  • Previous experience in human modeling (both cognitive and behavioral) with generative AI.
  • Experience with human-centered research (e.g. computational behavioral and social science, human-computer interaction, neuro-science).
Please add a link to Google Scholar to include a full list of publications when submitting your CV for this position.
 
The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $176,000 and $253,500/year for California-based roles. Base pay offered will depend on multiple individualized factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's experience, skills, job-related knowledge, and market location. TRI offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) eligibility, paid time off benefits (including vacation, sick time, and parental leave), and an annual cash bonus structure. Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

Please reference this Candidate Privacy Notice to inform you of the categories of personal information that we collect from individuals who inquire about and/or apply to work for Toyota Research Institute, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including Toyota A.I. Ventures GP, L.P., and the purposes for which we use such personal information.
 
TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws.
 
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.