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.

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.

AI for Science – using AI to improve how scientists generate hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and produce new knowledge in a way that specifically accelerates the discovery process.

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.

Beneficial AI – providing scientific foundations and datasets for understanding the larger human impacts of AI.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Manage 3‑5 program scientists and visiting scientists to help them continue to grow their scientific discernment and grantmaking skills.
• Contribute to the improvement of the AI team’s operations, including our grantmaking, budgeting, events & convening, and other processes.

• Act as a conduit for bringing in innovative ideas and perspectives from the AI community, actively engaging with stakeholders to identify emerging trends and opportunities for collaboration.

• Serve as an expert…