Demo

Lead Research Scientist in AI

ULRI
Northbrook, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 7/21/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/20/2026

Job Description

We have an excitingopportunity foraLead Research Scientist in AIatUL Research Institutes, within our Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI). This isa REMOTE opportunity.

TheLead Research Scientist in AIdirects advanced research in natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs) to support Digital Safety's mission. This role leadsresearchin NLP and LLM safety including literature surveys, experimental design, AI/software engineering, data acquisition, data analysis, and documentation necessary to execute comprehensive experimental studies. The Lead Research Scientistestablishesresearch concepts and criteria to resolve major problems in current programs or approaches. Projectsrequiresubstantial knowledge ofstate-of-the-artAI/software engineering principals and theories and uses professional concepts and procedures to solve a wide range of research-based problems.

ULResearch Institutes:

AtUL Research Institutes(ULRI),weexpand the boundaries of safety science tocreate a more secure and sustainable world. Formore thana century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigateriskand shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries.Weidentifycritical safety and sustainability issues, askingtoughquestions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us.Join us and work with our Fire Safetyteamswho conduct the researchrequiredto produce that knowledgeandput itintopractice.

Digital Safety Research Institute:

The Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI) addresses unresolved safety risks and emerging dangers in the world's digital ecosystem. We aim to help protect people from unwanted access to personal devices and privacy,algorithms, and disinformation threats by working to create a new digital safety ecosystem.

DSRI is committed to sharing digital safety insights, collaborating with key stakeholders, and offering extensive outreach and education to help support safer digital environments for people everywhere.

Whatyou'lllearnandachieve:

As theLead Research Scientist in AI,youwill play a key role in the rapid growth ofULas you:

  • Formulate, design, and manage independent test and evaluation research programs to protect the public from AI systems harms - focusing on testing systems enabling the most public harm.

  • Lead and contribute to the development of competitive research proposals, including defining scope,methodology, and deliverables, to secure funding for independent AI test andevaluationresearch programs.

  • Serve as a principal investigator Digital Safety's independent test and evaluation research programs in NLP and LLMs, providing scientific leadership and accountability for program outcomes, timelines, and deliverables

  • Apply intensive and diverse knowledge of technology and AI/software engineering concepts to execute and manage specific research programs.

  • Analyze experimental results todeterminecauses of problems and develop solutions, andevaluatestechnical specifications and factors related to process or designobjectives.

  • Plan, design, and completeinitialand follow-up procedures as needed tovalidatethe testing and evaluation results.

  • Plan, design, and execute research challenges, using and improving Digital Safety's evaluation tools, to lead the NLP and LLM community to solve problems of importance to transition partners.

  • Propose and host workshops at leading research conferences in AI safety where research challenge winning methods and their comparative results are discussed to move the field forward in producing results that can haveimpactinpublic safety.

  • Stay ahead of changing technologies in the field by reading papers and scientific publications and attending academic conferences.'

  • Contribute to and/or leadother departmentspecific and cross-functional initiatives.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

  • Expert knowledge of AI/software engineering disciplines.

  • Demonstratedexperience to secure research funding through competitive proposal development.

  • Demonstratedexperienceto leadresearch programs andserveas principal investigator, driving accountability for scientific outcomes and program execution.

  • Demonstratedability to attract invitations to give keynote presentations.

  • Excellent communication skillsrequired.

  • Advanced AI/software engineering and data analysis skills.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with research scientists, engineers, and external partners to deliver research outcomes

  • Ability to publish research results at leading academic conferences.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

  • PhD in computer Science (with a focus on NLP or LLMs) plus 6 or more years ofdirectly relatedresearch experience.

  • Master's degree in computer science (with a focus on NLP or LLMs) plus 8 or more years ofdirectly relatedresearch experience.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science (with a focus on NLP or LLMs) plus 12 or more years ofdirectly relatedresearch experience.

AboutUL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagementarenonprofit organizationsdedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data,conveneexperts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability,ultimately enhancingsocietal well-being.

To learn more, visitour websitesUL.organdULSE.org.

Salary Range:

$131,186.31-$180,381.17

Pay Type:

Salary
UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are equal opportunity employers. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, veteran status, uniformed service member status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

 

Salary : $131,186 - $180,381

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