Machine Learning Scientist, Large Language Models

What if... you could build a computational platform for scientific innovation to impact the creation of new technologies?

The Role

Pioneering Intelligence (PI) is a Flagship initiative focused on developing and harnessing AI/ML based platforms for innovative applications in life sciences and beyond. We are seeking a creative and talented machine learning scientist to join us and create novel LLM-powered systems aimed at accelerating Flagship’s scientific innovation and platform creation. You will be joining a team with diverse expertise building state-of-the-art LLM systems that aim to accelerate innovation across Flagship’s entire venture system.

Key responsibilities

• Design and prototype novel LLM-based workflows that accelerate scientific innovation across diverse domains

• Benchmark and evaluate prototypes, defining success metrics and designing custom benchmarks tailored to each domain

• Work with our ML Engineers to scale promising prototypes

• Track and synthesize state-of-the-art ML research and validate findings with careful experimental design and statistical analysis

• Supervise development of production-quality feedback loops for user testing and feedback

Requirements

• PhD in a relevant field such as machine learning, computer science, math, statistics, physics, or a closely related quantitative field

• Demonstrated research excellence in ML for language models or adjacent areas (reasoning/agents, sequence modeling, representation learning, optimization), evidenced by publications at top venues or other impactful research work

• Experience with modern machine learning frameworks, e.g. PyTorch or JAX, including reproducible experiment workflows

• Fluency in Python and standard ML tools and packages

• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and collaborate effectively within a team

Preferred

• Hands-on experience building and evaluating LLM systems, including planning/tool-use frameworks, multi-agent simulations, memory & reflection loops, retrieval-augmented generation/tool integration, instruction tuning, preference optimization (RLHF/RLAIF/DPO) and evaluation methodologies (LLM-as-judge, human studies)

• Experience and knowledge in an applied science domain (e.g. chemistry, biology, physics, materials, etc.)

• 1+ year industry experience

• Experience with modern software development and cloud services, e.g. Git, Docker, AWS Batch, Step Functions, EKS, SageMaker, etc.

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category life sciences companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, including the now familiar drug and vaccine innovator, Moderna Therapeutics. Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. At Pioneering Intelligence (PI), we are focused on developing and harnessing AI/ML based innovations to accelerate innovations in life sciences and beyond.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. 

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

The salary range for this role is $136,000 - $240,000. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Pioneering Intelligence currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Pioneering Intelligence's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.