Principal Researcher

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is a publicly funded research institute, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is home to a diverse community of leading scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and researchers from across the globe, transforming problems and roadblocks into pioneering research and technology prototypes that help move society ahead.

The Artificial Intelligence and Digital Science Research Centre (AIDRC) is the machine learning powerhouse of TII. We work closely with other research centers to harness the full potential of AI across multiple domains — from healthcare and cybersecurity to government and advanced technology systems.

We incorporate core elements of intelligence (perception, sensing, planning, and language) in the ideation, design, and prototyping of next-generation systems with human‑like intelligence. We build advanced AI computing and scalable AI‑based software stacks and hardware systems to deliver significant enhancements in systems infrastructure.

Our AI researchers, scientists, and engineers collaborate to ensure innovative outcomes, from AI theory to AI technologies towards better intelligence.

We are seeking a Principal Researcher in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to lead cutting‑edge research initiatives and shape the strategic direction of AI innovation within the organization.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with research leadership, driving original scientific contributions while guiding teams of researchers and engineers. This role requires both visionary thinking and hands‑on engagement in algorithm development, model innovation, and real‑world deployment.

• Define and lead the research and strategy in NLP and LLMs aligned with organizational objectives.
• Formulate novel research directions and technical roadmaps that underpin future AI products and platforms.
• Lead division‑wide initiatives to continuously assess and benchmark the state‑of‑the‑art in NLP/LLMs across academia and industry.
• Identify strategic opportunities to differentiate the organization within the global AI landscape.

• Design and conduct original research in AI, including NLP, LLMs, generative AI, deep learning, and multimodal systems.
• Develop, adapt, and improve advanced algorithms for large‑scale language and multimodal models.
• Drive innovation in model architecture, optimization, training efficiency, and real‑world deployment.
• Ensure research outcomes are translated into scalable prototypes and field‑deployable technologies.

• Lead and mentor teams of NLP/LLM researchers, scientists, and engineers.
• Oversee multiple research projects, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and timely delivery.
• Guide prototype development while engaging with internal engineering teams and external stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and scientific rigor.

• Collaborate with internal research centers, industry partners, academic institutions, and end‑user communities.
• Present research outcomes through publications, technical reports, demonstrations, and conference presentations.
• Generate and lead proposals for new research programs and strategic initiatives.

• Ensure adherence to ethical standards, responsible AI practices, and AI safety guidelines.
• Contribute to establishing best practices, shared infrastructure, and reusable research components across teams.

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, or a related field (strongly…