AI Specialist - Representation and Reinforcement Learning Job Toronto area,Ontario Canada,Research/Development

About Xanadu:

Xanadu's mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems and literally change the world.

And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities:

As an AI Specialist at Xanadu, you will drive applied AI initiatives by deeply analysing diverse R&D data and processes. Using state-of-the-art machine learning and AI techniques, such as representation learning, generative modelling, reinforcement learning etc., you will uncover hidden patterns in research across various technical fields. This work will directly contribute to developing internal R&D tool stacks to advance the first commercially viable quantum computer.

The AI team focuses on building and improving modelling, optimisation, simulation, data processing, and design methodology for all internal research. At the intersection of multiple technical disciplines, you will collaborate with leading researchers, scientists, engineers, and software developers, using cutting-edge AI/ML to enhance software tools and potentially transform research processes. You will:

Investigate and analyse complex structured and unstructured data from various internal R&D projects to identify key trends and insights.
Develop generalisable representation/reinforcement/generative learning strategies for diverse research data, addressing both theoretical and engineering challenges.
Design and implement machine learning and optimisation algorithms based on learned representations to solve specific R&D problems.
Develop and rigorously test new ML algorithms and tool kits to improve R&D efficiency.
Collaborate closely with hardware engineers and scientists to create and implement novel ML-driven solutions for complex research challenges.
Establish and maintain reproducible data analysis and modelling workflows.

At Xanadu, we primarily work with Python, Jupyter, Jax, Git Hub, Docker, CI pipelines and multiple cloud platforms. Proficiency in these technologies is essential.

Basic qualifications and experience:

BSc. in Physics, Math, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
4+ years of industry experience in deep learning/AI/ML, including at least one of these topics: representation learning, reinforcement learning, geometric deep learning, computer vision, NLP, generative models, GFlowNet, control theory.
Strong knowledge of Python and its numerical/scientific ecosystem (jax, numpy, pandas, xarray, pytorch, cuda, scipy, sklearn, ray, etc.)
Deep mathematical understanding of machine learning and optimisation.
Experience with designing and building novel and generalisable representations of complex data structures with symmetries.
Hands-on experience with large-scale training of neural networks for RL, LLMs, diffusion models, or other types of generative modelling.
Experience with software development life cycles, including version control, code review, testing, CI/CD, logging, profiling, debugging, and documentation.
Comfortable working with Linux shell, Docker, Git, and Git Hub.
Enthusiasm for learning new technologies and scientific concepts with minimal supervision.
Solid communication and collaboration skills.
Strong self-driven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Good knowledge of physics and linear algebra.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

MSc/PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Math,…