AI Research Lead

Prolific is not just another player in the AI space – we are the architects of the human data infrastructure that’s reshaping the landscape of AI development. In a world where foundational AI technologies are increasingly commoditized, it’s the quality and diversity of human-generated data that truly differentiates products and models.

We’ve built a unique platform that connects researchers and companies with a global pool of participants, enabling the collection of high-quality, ethically-sourced human behavioral data and feedback. This data is the cornerstone of developing more accurate, nuanced, and aligned AI systems.

Our mission is to bridge the gap between AI potential and human insight. We believe that the next leap in AI capabilities won’t come solely from scaling existing models, but from integrating diverse human perspectives and behaviors into AI development. By providing this crucial human data infrastructure, Prolific is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of AI innovation – one that reflects the breath and the best of humanity.

You: As our AI Science Lead, you’ll be instrumental in leveraging Prolific’s human data platform to develop cutting-edge AI models and applications. Your work will be pivotal in establishing Prolific as a leader in the next wave of AI innovation, focusing on fine-tuning foundational models and developing small, focused open-source models.

The Role:

We’re seeking an exceptional AI Research Lead to spearhead our efforts in pushing the boundaries of AI research and application. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI in a company that has a significant influence on the development of cutting edge AI research.

What you’ll be doing:

• Strategic Partnerships: Identify and establish collaborations with top-tier research institutions, universities, and industry partners to conduct groundbreaking AI research using Prolific’s human data infrastructure
• Human Judgment in AI: Spearhead RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback) research and explore novel ways to integrate human judgment into model improvement
• Red Teaming: Leverage Prolific’s unique access to diverse audiences for crowdsourced red teaming of AI systems
• Democratic AI Alignment: Lead research initiatives to incorporate representative human input into AI development and alignment
• Synthetic Users: Pioneer the development of AI agents that can test and improve research methodologies
• AI & Behavioral Research: Develop innovative approaches to use AI for deeper understanding of human behavior and psychology
• Thought Leadership: Represent Prolific at conferences and in the wider AI community, establishing our position as thought leaders in ethical and human-centered AI
• Human-AI Collaboration: Conduct groundbreaking research on augmenting human capabilities through AI collaboration
• Customer Advisory: Support Prolific’s services team in advising and serving our world-class customers, providing expert guidance on AI implementation and best practices

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Proven track record in AI research, with a focus on language models and human-AI interaction
• Strong understanding of the current AI landscape, including recent developments in large language models and their applications
• Experience with fine-tuning models and developing focused, task-specific AI solutions
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• A passion for ethical AI development and a commitment to promoting responsible AI practices

Why Prolific?

• Be at the forefront of AI innovation, working on projects that will shape the future of the field
• Access to Prolific’s unique human data platform, providing unparalleled opportunities for AI research and development
• Collaborate with a diverse team of experts in AI, psychology, and behavioral science
• Contribute to the development of ethical, human-centered AI solutions that have the potential to make a real-world impact
• Opportunity to collaborate with both foundational model creators and the open-source community, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible working arrangements and a supportive, mission-driven culture

Our Interview Process:

Talent Call – You’ll meet with one of our Talent team members and have an exploratory call about the role requirements, life at Prolific, as well as your background and aspirations.

Hiring Manager Interview – You’ll interview with two members of the team, one of whom will be the hiring manager. You’ll have the opportunity to ask about the company and the role, and we’ll ask you questions about your experiences and goals.

Panel Interview – We’ll conduct a panel interview to assess the skills required for the role. You’ll meet with more members of our team and may be asked to complete a presentation or task. You’ll receive a £50 voucher 💰as compensation for completing the task because we value your time!

Final Interview – We will delve into your past experiences, goals, motivations, and skills, all aligned with our Prolific Principles. You’ll speak with two to three members of the team and, as always, have an opportunity to ask questions about the role and company.