Senior Program Scientist, AI and Advanced Computing Institute

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

About the AI & Advanced Computing Institute (“AI Institute”) The AI Institute at Schmidt Sciences is a grantmaking and research group that views AI as a transformative force for scientific discovery and societal progress. Over the next decade, we aim to support key researchers who are working to make AI systems competent, trustworthy, reliable, and able to effectively partner with human scientists on the next generation of discovery. We will also make selected distinctive investments in beneficial AI areas where philanthropy has a unique advantage. By supporting enabling infrastructure, foundational research, and targeted programs in science disciplines, the AI and Advanced Computing Institute will create the conditions for AI-enabled discovery to achieve its promise.

The AI Institute Currently Has Three Focus Areas AI for Science – using AI to improve how scientists generate hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and produce new knowledge – and do this in a way that specifically accelerates the discovery process. Exploratory programs include post-transistor hardware for AI and AI for scientific simulation.

Science of AI – understanding and controlling AI systems to mitigate and manage potential risks from advanced AI. Improve AI reliability and performance in areas of limited commercial interest. Existing programs include AI2050 and Science of Trustworthy AI. Exploratory programs include AI interpretability and evolution of multi-agent communication.

Beneficial AI – providing scientific foundations and datasets for understanding the larger human impacts of AI. This includes selected high-impact grantmaking, such as our programs to use AI to accelerate humanities research (Humanities and AI Virtual Institute), and to quantify the impact of AI on the labor market (AI@Work).

The Role Reporting to the Director of the AI Institute at Schmidt Sciences, the Senior Program Scientist will provide technical leadership and people management across the AI Institute, as well as contribute to the overall strategy of Schmidt Sciences.

This is not a traditional research or industry role; rather, impact in this role is achieved by enabling high-quality academic and industry progress through funding, development of scientific instruments and other supports, convening, ecosystem building, and thought leadership.

Success for this role is the ability to position the AI Institute as the premier funder of AI scientific research globally, with a reputation for selecting the hardest technical challenges and using philanthropy to significantly advance solutions to them. In short, the ambition here is to influence the next decade of scientific discovery.

Key Responsibilities For This Role Include The Following Strategic Leadership

• Support the Institute lead in the design, evolution, and execution of the AI Institute’s current and future strategic, scientific, and technical direction.
• Co-design multi-year research agendas.
• Identify areas of AI where early philanthropy entry can provide significant advancement.
• Contribute to the overall scientific priorities in the AI and advanced computing portfolio and set future directions for engagement

Technical Evaluation and Program Development

• Provide technical advice to the existing programs and major awards of the AI Institute.
• As needed, work with team members to develop new programs. Note: current program explorations include AI interpretability, evolution of communication of multi-agent systems, post-transistor AI hardware, and AI-enabled simulation of scientific processes.
• Support existing AI Institute programs by providing networking assistance, scientific expertise, and mentorship, as necessary, and by working closely and collaboratively with the teams responsible for delivery. Contribute to the team’s assessment of expressions of interest and research proposals.

Team Management

• Manage 3-5 program scientists and vi…