Foundational Research Scientist Lead & Director

At Google DeepMind, we've built a unique culture and work environment where long-term ambitious research can flourish. Our special interdisciplinary team combines the best techniques from deep learning, reinforcement learning, and systems neuroscience to build general-purpose learning algorithms. We have already made a number of high-profile breakthroughs towards building artificial general intelligence (AGI), and we have all the ingredients in place to make further significant progress over the coming year!

Artificial Intelligence could be one of humanity’s most useful inventions. At Google DeepMind, we’re a team of scientists, engineers, machine learning experts and more, working together to advance the state of the art in artificial intelligence. We use our technologies for widespread public benefit and scientific discovery, and collaborate with others on critical challenges, ensuring safety and responsibility are the highest priority.

Foundational Research Scientist Leads at Google DeepMind take responsibility for leading the organization to build AI responsibly and play a crucial role in shaping the future of Google DeepMind. They lead our efforts in developing novel tools, infrastructure, and algorithms towards the end goal of solving and building Artificial General Intelligence.

They have a keen sense of strategically important and impactful problems. They should excel in a research driven culture, be comfortable diving deep into the details, yet be able to step back and communicate both the strategic and immediate implications on priorities.

Having pioneered research in the world's leading academic and industrial labs, Research Scientist Leads join Google DeepMind to work collaboratively within and across Research fields. They are expected to work with teams on large scale AI, and develop breakthrough solutions to fundamental questions in machine learning and AI.

As a Foundational Research Scientist Lead and Director you will: 

• Set the long-term vision and strategic direction for the team's research and development efforts towards developing AI responsibly to benefit humanity. 
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Drive the end-to-end execution of complex research projects driven by innovation, fundamental research, and evolving business conditions and needs.
• Act as the primary point of contact, representing the team's work and influencing stakeholders across Google DeepMind and Google’s product organizations.
• Actively partner with cross-functional leaders across Google and role model cross-organizational collaboration.

We are seeking a research leader who thrives in ambiguity and is adept at navigating the uncertainty of research. You are skilled at guiding a team to invent novel solutions, pivot when ideas don’t work out, and maintain momentum.

In order to set you up for success as a Foundational Research Scientist Lead at Google DeepMind, we look for the following skills and experience:

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or equivalent practical experience.
• Significant experience building and leading world-class research and engineering teams.
• Proven experience in deep learning research and development and internationally recognised as a leader in the area.
• Strong publication record at top-tier AI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML, CVPR, ICCV, ACL, etc)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills. 
• A passion for Google DeepMind’s mission and excited about AI and its potential for Scientific and real world impact.

Application deadline: Friday 5th September

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At Google DeepMind, we value diversity of experience, knowledge, backgrounds and perspectives and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.