Mechanistic Interpretability Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:
Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating scientific knowledge and breakthroughs using advanced tools. The Senior Program Scientist will provide technical leadership and manage programs within the AI Institute, aiming to position it as a leading funder of AI scientific research globally.
Responsibilities:
• Support the Institute lead in the design, evolution, and execution of the AI Institute’s current and future strategic, scientific, and technical direction.
• Co-design multi-year research agendas.
• Identify areas of AI where early philanthropy entry can provide significant advancement.
• Contribute to the overall scientific priorities in the AI and advanced computing portfolio and set future directions for engagement.
• Provide technical advice to the existing programs and major awards of the AI Institute.
• As needed, work with team members to develop new programs. Note: current program explorations include AI interpretability, evolution of communication of multi-agent systems, post-transistor AI hardware, and AI-enabled simulation of scientific processes.
• Support existing AI Institute programs by providing networking assistance, scientific expertise, and mentorship, as necessary, and by working closely and collaboratively with the teams responsible for delivery. Contribute to the team’s assessment of expressions of interest and research proposals.
• Manage 3-5 program scientists and visiting scientists to help them continue to grow their scientific discernment and grantmaking skills.
• Contribute to the improvement of the AI team’s operations, including our grantmaking, budgeting, events & convening, and other processes.
• Act as a conduit for bringing in innovative ideas and perspectives from the AI community, actively engaging with stakeholders to identify emerging trends and opportunities for collaboration.
• Serve as an expert advisor at Schmidt Sciences on topics in AI and advanced computing, with a focus on AI and humanities.
• Work with other members of the Schmidt Sciences team to drive organizational priorities and model our values.
• Identify potential partners for Schmidt Sciences, including universities, labs, other research facilities, and philanthropic and government organizations.
• Participate in relevant industry or academic conferences and events, representing Schmidt Sciences’ presence on AI and advanced computing issues.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Advanced degree (e.g., PhD), from an accredited institution, with a focus on artificial intelligence
• 10+ years of academic and industry experience in artificial intelligence
• Deep understanding of modern machine learning, including deep learning, probabilistic modeling, generative models, reinforcement learning, and large-scale representation learning
• Experience leading teams and managing technical staff
• Hands-on experience designing, training, and evaluating state-of-the-art models (e.g., foundation models, multimodal systems, agentic AI, simulation-based models)
• Demonstrated track record of scientific accomplishments, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, successful grant applications, or contributions to innovative industry projects
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific, technical, and other AI-related claims in grant proposals and other technical opportunities and emerging methods
• Deep relationships in the AI community and experience working with AI-focused institutions
• Experience producing technical writing for expert and general audiences
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and a record of impact in high-intensity, team-based environments
• Sense of urgency in driving work to completion
• The highest integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Be able to travel within the U.S. and internationally on a regular basis as needed
Preferred:
• Hands-on AI Experience: Experience building prototypes, benchmarks, or proof-of-concept systems to test scientific hypotheses or assess research investments. Strong fluency in ML engineering tools and best practices (Python, PyTorch/JAX/TF, data pipelines, MLOps, evaluation frameworks). Experience evaluating the scalability, data requirements, compute needs, and infrastructure implications of ambitious AI projects.
• Expertise in Specific Focus Areas for the AI Institute, Including: AI model evaluation and red-teaming for scientific reliability, Mechanistic interpretability or auditing methods, Multi-agent systems and emergent behavior, AI-accelerated simulation frameworks
• AI x Science: Familiarity with how AI is used across scientific disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, climate science, neuroscience, etc.). Expertise in at least one scientific domain where AI is meaningfully accelerating research (e.g., protein structure prediction, generative chemistry, computational biology, materials discovery, climate modeling). Ability to work and translate technical concepts across multiple scientific disciplines
• Strategy and Partnerships: Experience designing grantmaking / funding programs in philanthropy or government. Experience working with other science-focused institutions, such as philanthropic organizations or academic research institutions. Ability to identify underfunded opportunities and “white space” where philanthropy can uniquely accelerate scientific progress. Public profile and extensive network in the sciences that will allow Schmidt Sciences to continue to build on our reputation in this area
Company:
Schmidt Sciences is a philanthropy dedicated to fostering the advancement of science and technology. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in , , with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.