Senior Program Scientist, AI and Advanced Computing Institute

Job description

**[Schmidt Sciences](http://schmidtsciences.org/)** is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program. **About the AI & Advanced Computing Institute (“AI Institute”)** The AI Institute at Schmidt Sciences is a grantmaking and research group that views AI as a transformative force for scientific discovery and societal progress. Over the next decade, we aim to support key researchers who are working to make AI systems competent, trustworthy, reliable, and able to effectively partner with human scientists on the next generation of discovery. We will also make selected distinctive investments in beneficial AI areas where philanthropy has a unique advantage. By supporting enabling infrastructure, foundational research, and targeted programs in science disciplines, the AI and Advanced Computing Institute will create the conditions for AI-enabled discovery to achieve its promise. The AI Institute currently has three focus areas: **AI for Science** – using AI to improve how scientists generate hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and produce new knowledge – and do this in a way that specifically accelerates the discovery process. Exploratory programs include post-transistor hardware for AI and AI for scientific simulation. **Science of AI** – understanding and controlling AI systems to mitigate and manage potential risks from advanced AI. Improve AI reliability and performance in areas of limited commercial interest. Existing programs include AI2050 and Science of Trustworthy AI. Exploratory programs include AI interpretability and evolution of multi-agent communication. **Beneficial AI** – providing scientific foundations and datasets for understanding the larger human impacts of AI. This includes selected high-impact grantmaking, such as our programs to use AI to accelerate humanities research (Humanities and AI Virtual Institute), and to quantify the impact of AI on the labor market (AI@Work). **The Role** Reporting to the Director of the AI Institute at Schmidt Sciences, the Senior Program Scientist will provide technical leadership and people management across the AI Institute, as well as contribute to the overall strategy of Schmidt Sciences. This is not a traditional research or industry role; rather, impact in this role is achieved by enabling high-quality academic and industry progress through funding, development of scientific instruments and other supports, convening, ecosystem building, and thought leadership. Success for this role is the ability to position the AI Institute as the premier funder of AI scientific research globally, with a reputation for selecting the hardest technical challenges and using philanthropy to significantly advance solutions to them. In short, the ambition here is to influence the next decade of scientific discovery. Key Responsibilities for this role include the following: ### Strategic Leadership - 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 ### Technical Evaluation and Program Development - 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. ### Team Management - 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. ### External Engagement and Ecosystem Building - 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. ### Schmidt Sciences Support - 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. ### Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - **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