Applied Researcher II (AI Foundations)

Discover Financial
New York, San Francisco, Virginia, Cambridge, San Jose
Full timeFunction: Research & Scientific (R&D)Education: phdSkills: ["Interpersonal skills","Translating complexity","Creative thinking","Challenging conventions","Stakeholder collaboration"]

Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver AI-powered products by building and evaluating AI foundation models across the full research lifecycle—from design and training to validation and implementation. Work with large-scale deep learning approaches and advanced techniques (e.g., self-supervised learning, robustness, explainability, RLHF) while using tools and platforms such as PyTorch, AWS Ultraclusters, Hugging Face, Lightning, and vector databases. Translate complex work into tangible business goals.

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Discover Financial
Discover Financial
21 minutes ago

Applied Researcher II (AI Foundations)

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Last checked: 21 minutes agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver AI-powered products by building and evaluating AI foundation models across the full research lifecycle—from design and training to validation and implementation. Work with large-scale deep learning approaches and advanced techniques (e.g., self-supervised learning, robustness, explainability, RLHF) while using tools and platforms such as PyTorch, AWS Ultraclusters, Hugging Face, Lightning, and vector databases. Translate complex work into tangible business goals.
Location: New York, San Francisco, Virginia, Cambridge, San Jose
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Research & Scientific (R&D)

Key Responsibilities

  • •Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver AI-powered products that change how customers interact with their money.
  • •Leverage technologies including PyTorch, AWS Ultraclusters, Hugging Face, Lightning, and VectorDBs to extract insights from large-scale numeric and textual data.
  • •Build AI foundation models across design, training, evaluation, validation, and implementation phases.
  • •Conduct high-impact applied research and advance state-of-the-art AI developments into next-generation customer experiences.
  • •Translate research complexity into tangible business goals.

Key Requirements

  • •Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining, a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, AI, Mathematics, or related fields.
  • •Additionally requires experience in Applied Research or M.S. (with experience) in related fields, with timing tied to the scheduled start date.
  • •Hands-on experience developing AI foundation models and solutions using open-source tools and cloud computing platforms.
  • •Deep understanding of the foundations of AI methodologies.
  • •Experience building large deep learning models with expertise in one or more areas such as training optimization, self-supervised learning, robustness, explainability, or RLHF.
Experience:Open sourceMachine learningDeep learning
Education:PhD / Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, AI, Mathematics (or related fields)
Skills:Interpersonal skillsTranslating complexityCreative thinkingChallenging conventionsStakeholder collaboration
Tech Stack:PyTorchAWSHuggingfaceLightningVectorDBsOpen-sourcePytorch-geometricDGL

Eligibility

Work Authorization:Sponsorship available.

Company Brief

Discover Financial
Provides consumer banking products, credit cards, personal loans, and payment services through the Discover brand. It operates a major U.S. financial network and serves individuals and merchants with lending and digital payment solutions.
Industry: Retail Banking
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 10M to 25M
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Riverwoods, United States
Founded: 1985
WebsiteLinkedIn