"Open Rank, Foundational Models for Science (AI/Machine Learning)"

Software Engineer, Foundation Models for Science (AI/Machine Learning)

Flatiron Institute - Simons Foundation

Location

162 5th Avenue, NY, NY 10010

Open Date

Nov 03, 2023

Description

The Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute seeks a full-time software engineer position as part of its new initiative, Polymathic AI, Building Foundation Models for Science. Recent advances in machine learning, including Large Language Models and diffusion based generative models have driven significant advances in Artificial Intelligence. The Flatiron Institute seeks to leverage these ideas to develop the next generation of AI-powered scientific analysis tools, seeking more powerful and more interpretable models with broad applications to many scientific disciplines. Our group includes researchers from multiple scientific disciplines ranging from machine learning, to astrophysics, biology, neuroscience and quantum computing. 

The selected candidates will work closely with a group of computer scientists, domain scientists, and AI experts in developing software and leveraging large language models and large AI models to solve pressing scientific challenges. 

The Flatiron Institute has computational capabilities allowing training of fairly large AI models. to join this new initiative. We offer an exciting multidisciplinary context for researching AI and its applications.

The Software Engineer will report to the Group Leader and is a full-time fixed term position with a duration of one year. This position is based on site in Simons Foundation’s offices in New York City. 

For more information about careers at the Flatiron Institute, please visit https:// www.simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/careers. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop and train large AI models for pressing scientific questions
• Curate large datasets pertinent to the initiative 
• Develop, implement, maintain, and support software relevant to the initiative. 
• Engage in foundation models for science research
• Collaborate with other software engineers, Flatiron Research Fellows, Research Analysts. 
• Lead and improve open-source software practices
• Perform any other duties or tasks as required by the initiative
• Help build, improve, and support high-quality, open-source software libraries relating to efforts within the group

Qualifications

Education 

• B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in machine learning, computer science, engineering or related technical discipline.

Experience 

• At least three years’ experience with software development in a research setting
• Expertise in developing and training AI models.  
• Proficiency in Python and either PyTorch, JAX, or Tensorflow
• Experience with HPC, GPU, or code profiling/optimization is a plus
• Knowledge of software engineering practices for working in groups, including software development life cycles, coding standards, code review, and version control

Related Skills and Other Requirements 

• Ability to collaborate on multidisciplinary research in a collegial environment
• Ability to lead, develop and contribute to software projects 
• Effective communication, documentation, and user-support skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively 
• Technical and scientific curiosity 
• Professional communication skills

Application Instructions

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS 

•  CV including publication list and software repositories
• Description of previous research experience (not to exceed 2 pages, including figures).
• Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted confidentially by the letter via Interfolio application. If an applicant is currently in a PhD program, one letter must be from the applicant’s Ph.D. supervisor and must explicitly approve the applicant’s possible participation in the initiative.  

DEADLINE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as they are received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

• The full-time annual compensation range for the Software Engineer level is $120,000 - $150,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.