Research Director - AI - Cambridge

A Research Director leads strategic research initiatives and manages teams of research scientists and engineers working on cutting-edge technologies, particularly in areas of machine learning, generative AI, model compression, optimization, on-device deployment, and emerging technologies that align with our clients long-term vision and product ecosystem.

Leadership & Strategy

• Define and execute long-term research vision and strategy aligned with business objectives and product roadmap
• Lead and mentor diverse teams of research scientists, engineers, and interns
• Collaborate closely with product teams, business units to translate research breakthroughs into practical applications and commercial solutions
• Foster innovation culture and maintain competitive position at the forefront of AI technological advancement

Research Oversight

• Oversee multiple complex research projects from conception through publication, implementation, successful on-device deployment and commercialization
• Ensure research quality, methodological rigor, and scientific excellence across all projects
• Guide publication strategies for top-tier academic conferences while balancing open research with proprietary innovations
• Drive intellectual property development and patent filing strategies
• Evaluate emerging research directions and assess their potential impact on technology portfolio

Team Management & Development

• Recruit, hire, and develop world-class research talent across diverse technical disciplines
• Provide technical mentorship, career development guidance, and performance management for team members
• Manage resource allocation for research initiatives and infrastructure
• Create a collaborative environment that encourages creativity, risk-taking, and breakthrough thinking
• Build and maintain high-performing, inclusive research teams that deliver exceptional results

Education & Experience

• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or related technical field
• 10+ years of post-PhD research experience with a strong publication record in top-tier venues as both main contributor and manager
• Previous leadership experience of managing research teams of 10+ members (typically 5+ years in leadership roles)
• Proven track record of successfully translating research innovations into real-world products, deployments, or measurable business impact
• Experience with technology transfer and commercialization processes

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in relevant areas of AI/ML, including at least some of large language models, multi-modal generative AI, computer vision, mobile AI, or edge computing
• Strong understanding of current research trends, emerging technologies, and their potential applications
• Experience with large-scale distributed systems, model optimization, and practical deployment challenges
• Knowledge of mobile and embedded systems constraints, particularly relevant to device ecosystem
• Familiarity with hardware-software co-design principles and on-device AI optimization
• Experience with professional software development practices, and software project management in an industry setting.

Leadership & Communication Skills

• Exceptional communication and presentation abilities for both technical and executive audiences
• Extensive experience working with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and business development
• Strategic thinking capabilities with proven ability to set long-term research vision and roadmaps
• Ability to influence and drive consensus across organizations without direct authority
• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships across global research and business units