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Ml Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal AI/ML Researcher

Boston, MA · On-site

$270K - $300K/yr

We are seeking a Principal AI Researcher to join our Foundation AI team. This team builds the foundation models that underpin WHOOP's next generation of intelligent, personalized, and health ...

This top-caliber AI/ML Researcher role is based on-site with an elite cyber team in Annapolis Junction, MD and requires active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph, ideally with current accounts with NSA ...

About the Role This is a founding-team ML research engineering role at an AI training and evaluation company serving top frontier AI labs and enterprises. You'll build the research backbone from the ...

The ML Research Engineer will build and optimize the internal distributed framework for large language model training and inference, collaborating with various ML teams to support research and ...

Applied AI ML Researcher Lead

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$174K/yr

You will bridge cutting-edge research and enterprise-grade delivery, shaping how applied AI is designed, evaluated, and deployed at scale. You will partner closely with business and technology ...

Research to Product Bridge: Translate ML research innovations into practical product features and customer-facing capabilities. * Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with SDK, testing, and ...

Lead applied research initiatives in generative AI and model efficiency * Prototype and implement novel ML techniques for largescale inference * Design experiments, analyze results, and translate ...

Lead applied research initiatives in generative AI and model efficiency * Prototype and implement novel ML techniques for largescale inference * Design experiments, analyze results, and translate ...

ML Research Scientist - PhD

New York, NY · Remote

$110 - $145/hr

ML Research PhD Experts (ICML / NeurIPS / ICLR Publications) Type: Contract Compensation: $110-$145/hour Location: Remote Role Responsibilities * Evaluate the accuracy and depth of AI-generated ...

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Ml Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do ml researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for ml researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ML researcher?

ML Researchers, or Machine Learning Researchers, are professionals who develop new algorithms, models, and techniques in the field of machine learning. They work on advancing the theoretical foundations of AI, as well as creating practical applications for industries such as healthcare, finance, and technology. Their work often involves designing experiments, analyzing large datasets, and publishing findings in academic journals or conferences. ML Researchers collaborate with engineers and data scientists to move innovations from theory to real-world solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ML researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Machine Learning Researcher, you need a solid background in mathematics, statistics, programming (typically Python), and a relevant advanced degree such as a Master's or Ph.D. in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (like TensorFlow or PyTorch), version control systems, and experience with large datasets and cloud computing platforms are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective communication are vital soft skills for innovating and sharing complex ideas. These skills and qualities enable researchers to advance the state of the art, collaborate effectively, and translate research into practical applications.

What are some common challenges ML researchers face when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

ML Researchers often find that transitioning from academia to industry involves adjusting to faster project timelines, a greater focus on practical applications, and more collaborative, cross-functional teams. Unlike academic research, industry roles typically require aligning research objectives with business goals and demonstrating clear value through measurable outcomes. Additionally, researchers may need to adapt to using large-scale production data, deploying models, and maintaining solutions in real-world environments. Embracing agile methodologies and effective communication with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Ml Researcher vs Data Scientist?

AspectML ResearcherData Scientist
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Computer Science, AI, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, R&D departmentsBusiness environments, analytics teams, product development
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, academiaCorporate sectors, finance, healthcare, marketing
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve working with data and algorithms, ML Researchers focus on developing new machine learning models and advancing AI research, often in academic or research settings. Data Scientists analyze data to derive insights and support business decisions, typically working in industry environments. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations.

How to become an ML researcher?

To become an ML researcher, one typically needs a strong background in computer science, mathematics, or related fields, often demonstrated by a master's or Ph.D. degree. Developing expertise in machine learning algorithms, programming skills in languages like Python, and experience with tools such as TensorFlow or PyTorch are essential. Engaging in research projects, publishing papers, and staying current with advancements in the field also support career development.
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Cities with the most Ml Researcher job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Ml Researcher jobs?

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What states have the most Ml Researcher jobs?

States with the most job openings for Ml Researcher jobs include:

Infographic showing various Ml Researcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Principal AI/ML Researcher

Whoop

Boston, MA • On-site

$270K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

WHOOP is an advanced health and fitness wearable on a mission to unlock human performance and extend healthspan. By providing members with a deep understanding of their bodies, behaviors, and daily lives, WHOOP empowers healthier choices and peak performance.
We are seeking a Principal AI Researcher to join our Foundation AI team. This team builds the foundation models that underpin WHOOP's next generation of intelligent, personalized, and health-enhancing experiences. These models integrate data across wearable sensors, language, biomarkers, clinical information, and self-reported inputs to create scalable AI systems that understand human physiology and behavior.
In this role, you'll be one of the senior technical leaders at WHOOP. You will own the technical execution of our foundation modeling workstreams and your technical judgment will shape a core part of WHOOP's AI efforts and the products they power.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Set the architectural direction for the development of large-scale models spanning wearable sensor data, text, biomarkers, and behavioral signals, and personally own the highest-stakes, hardest-to-reverse design decisions.
  • Identify which research bets in self-supervised and representation learning are worth making, and drive the most ambiguous and unproven ones from thesis to validated, production capability.
  • Contribute to the broader AI strategy and standards at WHOOP, shaping the platform, compute, and infrastructure choices the team operates on, not just working within them.
  • Partner across research, product, and engineering to connect technical breakthroughs to product and business outcomes.
  • Raise the technical bar across the team: grow staff and senior engineers, strengthen design-review and evaluation norms, and act as a force multiplier.
  • Represent WHOOP's technical work externally, helping with recruiting, partnerships, and visibility in the broader AI research community.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) or equivalent depth, with extensive experience in large-scale machine learning and AI research.
  • A track record of owning technical direction for a significant area and making architectural decisions whose impact outlived any single project.
  • Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous, high-risk research directions all the way to production impact and the judgment to discontinue those that will not.
  • Deep expertise in modern deep learning (transformers, state space models), multimodal training, self-supervised and representation learning, RL-based post-training (PPO/DPO/GRPO), and large-scale distributed training (data, model, and context parallelism).
  • A history of being a technical authority that teams defer to, and evidence of multiplying their output.
  • Excellent communication and the ability to influence both the engineering bench and senior leadership.
  • Publications and evidence of community building at top-tier machine learning venues.
  • Passion for WHOOP's mission to improve human performance and extend healthspan through science and technology.

This role is based in the WHOOP office located in Boston, MA. The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office.
Interested in the role, but don't meet every qualification? We encourage you to still apply! At WHOOP, we believe there is much more to a candidate than what is written on paper, and we value character as much as experience. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive environment, we encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply.
WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify to determine employment eligibility. 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.
The WHOOP compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent by offering competitive base salaries, meaningful equity, and consistent pay practices that reflect our mission and core values.
At WHOOP, we view total compensation as the combination of base salary, equity, and benefits, with equity serving as a key differentiator that aligns our employees with the long-term success of the company and allows every member of our corporate team to own part of WHOOP and share in the company's long-term growth and success.
The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $270,000 - $300,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each range, individual pay is based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, performance, and relevant education or training.
In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate will also receive benefits and a generous equity package.
These ranges may be modified in the future to reflect evolving market conditions and organizational needs. While most offers will typically fall toward the starting point of the range, total compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, expertise, and alignment with the role's requirements.

Whoop logo

About Whoop

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock human performance. WHOOP empowers users (Olympians, Professional Athletes, Fitness Enthusiasts, etc) to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.

Industry

Fitness and sports centers

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

2012