Lead Research Scientist in AI 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Research Scientist in AI at UL Research Institutes, within our Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI). This is a REMOTE opportunity.

The Lead Research Scientist in AI directs advanced research in natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs) to support Digital Safety’s mission. This role leads research in NLP and LLM safety including literature surveys, experimental design, AI/software engineering, data acquisition, data analysis, and documentation necessary to execute comprehensive experimental studies. The Lead Research Scientist establishes research concepts and criteria to resolve major problems in current programs or approaches. Projects require substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art AI/software engineering principals and theories and uses professional concepts and procedures to solve a wide range of research-based problems. 

UL Research Institutes: 

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge. 

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Fire Safety teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put it into practice. 

Digital Safety Research Institute: 

The Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI) addresses unresolved safety risks and emerging dangers in the world’s digital ecosystem. We aim to help protect people from unwanted access to personal devices and privacy, algorithms, and disinformation threats by working to create a new digital safety ecosystem. 

DSRI is committed to sharing digital safety insights, collaborating with key stakeholders, and offering extensive outreach and education to help support safer digital environments for people everywhere. 

What you’ll learn and achieve: 

As the Lead Research Scientist in AI, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you: 

• Formulate, design, and manage independent test and evaluation research programs to protect the public from AI systems harms – focusing on testing systems enabling the most public harm. 

• Lead and contribute to the development of competitive research proposals, including defining scope, methodology, and deliverables, to secure funding for independent AI test and evaluation research programs. 

• Serve as a principal investigator Digital Safety’s independent test and evaluation research programs in NLP and LLMs, providing scientific leadership and accountability for program outcomes, timelines, and deliverables 

• Apply intensive and diverse knowledge of technology and AI/software engineering concepts to execute and manage specific research programs. 

• Analyze experimental results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions, and evaluates technical specifications and factors related to process or design objectives. 

• Plan, design, and complete initial and follow-up procedures as needed to validate the testing and evaluation results. 

• Plan, design, and execute research challenges, using and improving Digital Safety’s evaluation tools, to lead the NLP and LLM community to solve problems of importance to transition partners. 

• Propose and host workshops at leading research conferences in AI safety where research challenge winning methods and their comparative results are discussed to move the field forward in producing results that can have impact in public safety. 

• Stay ahead of changing technologies in the field by reading papers and scientific publications and attending academic conferences.’ 

• Contribute to and/or lead other department specific and cross-functional initiatives. 

What makes you a great fit: 

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes: 

• Expert knowledge of AI/software engineering disciplines. 

• Demonstrated experience to secure research funding through competitive proposal development. 

• Demonstrated experience to lead research programs and serve as principal investigator, driving accountability for scientific outcomes and program execution. 

• Demonstrated ability to attract invitations to give keynote presentations. 

• Excellent communication skills required. 

• Advanced AI/software engineering and data analysis skills. 

• Ability to collaborate effectively with research scientists, engineers, and external partners to deliver research outcomes 

• Ability to publish research results at leading academic conferences. 

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include: 

• PhD in computer Science (with a focus on NLP or LLMs) plus 6 or more years of directly related research experience. 

• Master’s degree in computer science (with a focus on NLP or LLMs) plus 8 or more years of directly related research experience. 

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science (with a focus on NLP or LLMs) plus 12 or more years of directly related research experience. 

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement 

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.  

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.