Research Scientist - Machine Learning and Inference Research, LLM Post-Training

Overview

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together we are writing the next episode, pushing the boundaries of storytelling, global fandom, and making the unimaginable a reality. As Netflix grows, innovations in personalization, discovery, experimentation, and backend infrastructure create new opportunities for research to drive meaningful impact. The Machine Learning and Inference Research team turns these opportunities into tangible benefits for our members and business through fundamental research and close partnership with cross‑functional teams.

As a member of the team you will leverage your technical expertise to shape roadmaps, collaborate across functions, and bring new ideas from exploration to impact. You will publish at top venues, present at conferences, mentor interns, and foster academic collaborations. You will help define and execute a strong research agenda, disseminate knowledge, inspire others, and promote an open environment of innovation, intellectual rigor, and curiosity.

• Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related field with specialization in post‑training LLMs for downstream tasks, especially using reinforcement learning (e.g., RLVR, RLHF, offline or online, policy‑ or value‑based), and possibly including reasoning, alignment, distillation/compression, tool use, memory, calibration, or related.
• Track record of top‑tier publications demonstrating deep expertise in the specialization.
• Passion for collaboration and building strong relationships to tackle big, cross‑functional problems.
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to adapt to different audiences.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to thrive and lead with minimal oversight and process.
• Curiosity and judgment in identifying and framing ambiguous research and business problems, and connecting the two.
• Eagerness to elevate the broader organization through sharing knowledge and guiding the adoption of new methods.

Annual salary range: $–$. Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including health plans, mental health support, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a stock option program, disability programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, family‑forming benefits, life and serious injury benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and flexible time off. Full‑time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick pay;

full‑time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and celebrate diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.