"Associate Research Scientist"

Job Description

The Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) at Columbia University in the City of New York invites applications for an Associate Research Scientist position in the areas of AI security & reliability, AI systems, data management, knowledge-grounded models, and enterprise automation within the Infosys Topaz Columbia University Enterprise AI Center. The Center is a joint initiative between Columbia University and Infosys, focused on advancing the design, governance, and adoption of responsible, human-centered AI systems.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and publish original research areas such as AI security & reliability, AI systems, data management, knowledge-grounded models, and enterprise automation. The position emphasizes applied innovation—designing, prototyping, and evaluating practical systems and tools that demonstrate both technical rigor and business impact. Candidates will work in close collaboration with Columbia faculty, Ph.D. students and Infosys engineers to contribute to joint publications, open-source releases, and research demonstrations, while helping to translate research outcomes into Infosys’ internal platforms and client-facing solutions.

The Associate Research Scientist will also mentor students and interns, provide technical input on exploratory research directions, and participate in the preparation and review of proposals. The position involves close engagement with Infosys’ Topaz ecosystem—offering access to large-scale enterprise AI deployments and global data challenges. The successful candidate will represent the Center in research conferences, academic collaborations, and industry forums, helping to shape its intellectual and practical contributions to the responsible AI landscape.

Candidates for professional officer of research positions are expected to have established their ability to conduct original, independent research and contribute to collaborative projects. To the rank of an associate research scientist, candidate’s qualifications and contributions to their fields of research must be equivalent to those of an assistant professor. All candidates for all officer of research positions are expected to be able to work well in a team and to communicate effectively the results of their research or research activities both orally and in writing.

This is a multi-year (three-year, renewable) research appointment, offering the opportunity to pursue independent and collaborative research within Columbia University’s vibrant academic environment and Infosys’ global research network. The level of appointment and salary will be commensurate with experience. The earliest position is expected to begin on approximately Jan 1st 2026 or sooner if possible, with possible additional positions being filled later in 2026.

Candidates should be open to relocation to the New York City area.

Preferred and Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. (or equivalent professional degree) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field, with a research focus in (1) security, reliability, and trustworthiness of AI models and agents; or (2) data systems, AI/ML infrastructure, or related areas. Experience with building domain-specific agentic applications, HCI/usability, or secure enterprise AI or coding agents is a plus.

2–5 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, ideally involving prototype development or applied research. Clear communication skills and an ability to work effectively at the interface of academia and industry.

Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated track record of mentorship of junior scientists, post-doctoral fellows, or students. Strong record of publications, patents or deployed systems in relevant domains. Experience in usability, human–computer interaction, or related interdisciplinary domains. Evidence of successful technology transfer or deployment of research prototypes into production or user-facing environments. Track record of leadership in cross-institutional research collaborations.

Application Details

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