Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist - Secure AI Lab

About this role

At the SEI AI Division, we conduct research in applied artificial intelligence and the engineering questions related to the practical design and implementation of AI technologies and systems. We currently lead a community-wide movement to mature the discipline of AI Engineering for Defense and National Security.  

As our government customers adopt AI and machine learning to   provide   leap-ahead mission capabilities, we  

• build real-world, mission-scale AI capabilities through solving practical engineering problems  

• discover and define the processes, practices, and tools to support operationalizing AI for robust, secure, scalable, and human-centered mission capabilities  

• prepare our customers to be ready for the unique challenges of adopting, deploying, using, and   maintaining   AI capabilities  

• identify   and investigate emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies that are rapidly transforming the technology landscape  

Are you creative, curious, energetic, collaborative, technology-focused, and hard-working? Are you interested in making a difference by bringing innovation to government organizations and beyond? Apply to join our team.    

Overview :   As a Senior Machine Learning   Research Scientist ,   you will specialize in   conducting   research into the vulnerabilities of AI   and   ML algorithms and securing against those vulnerabilities.  

The   Secure AI   Lab within the SEI’s AI Division focuses on improving the security and robustness of AI systems. As part of the world-class research community at Carnegie Mellon University, the   Secure AI   Lab   conducts and applies   cutting-edge   research to   protect   AI systems from   adversaries who aim to manipulate   the system   to learn, do, or reveal   something it   isn’t   supposed to.   

The   Secure AI   Lab consists of machine learning research scientists, machine learning engineers, and software developers who work together to solve problems in the following areas:  

• Counter AI Research :   Study threat models targeting AI   and   ML algorithms,   understand the behaviors of AI algorithms,   identify   weak points, and design novel ways to subvert AI   and   ML systems.  

• AI   and   ML   Algorithm Defense   Research:   Creat e   practical mitigations and defenses for   observed   attacks   affecting AI   and   ML algorithms   and evaluate the effectiveness of   defensive   techniques .  

• Applied   Adversarial Machine Learning :   Advance the state of the art in   a dversarial   m achine   l earning   by developing and transitioning capabilities to government sponsors.  

Your day-to-day research tasks will include:  

• Identifying   and   i nvestigating   emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies.  

• Performing and   p ublishing   impactful original research in the field of   AI   and   ML algorithm vulnerabilities and securing against those vulnerabilities.  

• Adapting and   a pplying   existing research in the field to solve real-world problems.  

• Transitioning and   p roviding   guidance   on   AI capabilities to government sponsors.  

Duties:   

• Hands-on research:  You’ll   conduct and lead novel research in applied machine learning and artificial intelligence.  

• Solution development:   You’ll   work with and lead interdisciplinary teams to turn research results into prototype operational capabilities for government customers and stakeholders.  

• Strategy:   You’ll   work with   the leadership team   and colleagues to plan, develop, and carry out an overall research strategy, and to influence the national research agenda   regarding   future technology.  

• Collaboration:   You'll   actively   participate   on teams of software developers, researchers, designers, and technical leads.   You'll   build relationships and collaborate with researchers, government customers, and other stakeholders to understand challenges, needs,   possible solutions , and research directions.  

• Mentoring:   You'll   contribute to improving the overall technical capabilities of the Division   by mentoring and teaching others,   participating   in design (software and otherwise) sessions, and sharing insights and wisdom across the SEI   AI   Division.  

Knowledge and   Experience  

• Comprehensive   knowledge of   machine learning ;   previous   experience   in adversarial machine learning   preferred   but not   required  

• A track record   of   conducting research and applying scientific methods   to solve   difficult problems  

• Experience   l ead ing   research   projects   in   novel   areas   with limited   previous   work to build upon  

• Ability   to work with leadership to plan, develop, and   deliver   an overall   research   strategy  

• Strong written and verbal communication skills ;   a bility   to convey complex technical ideas   in   a   layperson’s terms  

• Proficien cy   in   w rit ing   funding proposals   or   pitch ing   ideas for   new research   projects  

• Ample   experience with publishing   written or technical   artifacts   showcasing   your work  

• Strong collaboration skills for   working   with colleagues and sponsors   

• Willing ness   to   guide and   mentor   junior team members  

Requirements  

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, machine learning, electrical engineering, or related discipline with ten (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR PhD with five (5) years of experience  

• Willingness to work onsite at an SEI facility 5 days per week.

• Be able to obtain and   maintain   an active Department of War security clearance.  

• Willing to travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside of your home location. Travel sites include SEI offices in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., sponsor sites, and conferences.  

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefit

Similar jobs

• Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist - Secure AI Lab — Cmu (SEI) · Pittsburgh, PA | Arlington, VA
• Senior Machine Learning Engineer, GenAI Security — Reddit · Remote
• Senior Research Scientist, Machine Learning — Analog Devices · Boston, MA
• Senior Research Scientist, Machine Learning — Analog Devices · Wilmington, MA
• Sr. Machine Learning Engineer, Responsible AI– Applied Research Science — Pinterest · San Francisco, CA, US; Remote, CA, US
• Research Scientist, Machine Learning / AI — Basis Research · New York Office
• Senior Machine Learning Scientist — Expedia · Washington - Seattle Campus | San Jose, California, United States
• Senior Machine Learning Scientist — Axon · Boston, Massachusetts, United States