![XIAOMI Pad 7 Nano Texture Display [Smartchoice] | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3| 3.2K Display (28.44 cm /11.2") Tablet| 12GB, 256GB| Anti-Reflective| Anti-Glare| HyperOS 2| Dolby Vision Atmos | Graphite Grey](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71yZPdov-SL._SX679_.jpg)
AI Researcher | JobSetuu
Toptal
Posted 1 week ago • Via jobicy.com
Description
Job Overview
- Source: Jobicy
Job Description
About Toptal
Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. With $200+ million in annual revenue and team members based around the globe, Toptal is the world’s largest fully remote workforce.
We take the best elements of virtual teams and combine them with a support structure that encourages innovation, social interaction, and fun. We see no borders, move at a fast pace, and are never afraid to break the mold.
Job Summary
Toptal is building a dedicated AI Research team focused on advancing the frontier of agentic AI systems powered by proprietary real-world interaction data.
We are seeking AI Researchers who are excited to explore how large-scale, real-world signals can be transformed into better reasoning, improved generalization, and more capable multimodal agents.
In this role, you will work at the intersection of model development, multimodal representation learning, and reinforcement learning, designing new approaches that enable agents to learn from complex behavioral data, workflows, and multimodal inputs such as audio, logs, and structured interaction traces. You will focus on building and improving learning systems for agents, including methods for RAG, fine-tuning, reinforcement learning (RLHF, DPO, GRPO), and joint embedding spaces, as well as speech and audio intelligence capabilities such as STT, ASR, and audio signal modeling.
You will collaborate closely with engineering and product teams to ensure research breakthroughs are translated into scalable systems, and that feedback from production continuously improves model behavior.
This is a remote position. All communication and resumes must be in English.
Responsibilities:
The following information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or required skills.
- Advance research on agentic AI systems trained on real-world interaction signals and multimodal data.
- Design and experiment with learning paradigms for large-scale models, including RAG, supervised fine-tuning, RLHF, DPO, and GRPO-style methods.
- Develop multimodal representation learning approaches, including joint embedding spaces across text, audio, logs, and structured interaction traces.
- Improve speech and audio intelligence capabilities, including STT, ASR, and audio-driven learning signals.
- Research methods for enhancing agent reasoning, planning, tool use, and adaptation in real-world environments.
- Define how complex behavioral and interaction signals can be translated into effective training objectives for large-scale models.
- Build and refine evaluation methodologies for agent performance in real-world, domain-specific scenarios.
- Collaborate with engineering and product teams to bring research ideas into production systems.
- Identify patterns in real-world workflows and convert them into generalizable modeling and representation strategies.
- Contribute to the long-term research direction of Toptal’s agentic AI systems and multimodal capabilities.
- Stay current with academic and industry research and integrate relevant advancements into internal systems.
In the first week, expect to:
- Join the AI team and orient yourself with Toptal’s mission and strategy.
- Access our existing datasets, agent stacks, and internal evaluation tools.
- Map the landscape of raw data sources currently feeding our agentic systems.
In the first month, expect to:
- Develop a deep understanding of our current architectures and evaluation methodologies.
- Identify high-leverage gaps where data improvements can measurably increase agent capability.
- Initiate concrete improvements to pipelines converting raw inputs into model-ready assets.
- Shape feedback loops that utilize live performance as a training signal.
In the first three months, expect to:
- Own a production data pipeline from ingestion through delivery into RL or fine-tuning workflows.
- Define reusable schemas that abstract repeated workflows into queryable formats.
- Drive measurable advancements in agent accuracy within a specific vertical, backed by metrics.
- Integrate AI features into user-facing surfaces like browsers or enterprise tools.
In the first six months, expect to:
- Lead the design of multimodal pipelines that unify text and real-time logs for agents.
- Establish tooling for encoding institutional knowledge into scalable schemas for the team.
- Define the team’s strategy for fine-tuning and capturing human feedback for RLHF.
- Mentor teammates on data-centric approaches and influence the team’s technical direction.
In the first year, expect to:
- Serve as a key technical leader in turning proprietary data into a durable competitive advantage.
- Operate as a recognized expert across the team on knowledge representation and improvement loops.
- Drive a step-change in agent capability across multiple verticals through clear performance metrics.
- Shape the next generation of products by evolving data, agents, and applications together.
Qualifications and Job Requirements:
- PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in applied AI research or ML systems with production impact.
- Strong background in large-scale machine learning, LLMs, or multimodal AI systems.
- Hands-on experience with:
- RAG systems.
- Fine-tuning large language models.
- Reinforcement learning methods (RLHF, DPO, or GRPO-style approaches).
- Experience with VLM.
- Strong understanding of representation learning, embeddings, and joint embedding spaces.
- Experience with speech and audio modeling, including STT, ASR, or audio signal processing.
- Proficiency in Python and modern ML frameworks (PyTorch, Hugging Face ecosystem).
- Experience designing or improving evaluation methodologies for LLMs or agentic systems.
- Experience with agentic AI systems, including reasoning, planning, or tool-use architectures.
- Background in multimodal AI systems (text, audio, vision, or structured logs).
- Experience embedding AI into real-world products (browsers, IDEs, enterprise tools).
- Experience with real-time or streaming AI systems.
- Open-source contributions or publications in top-tier ML/AI conferences.
- Strong ability to define research hypotheses from ambiguous, real-world problems.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English.
- You must be a world-class individual contributor to thrive at Toptal. You will not be here just to tell other people what to do.
Expert Career Tips for AI Researcher Roles
To succeed in a competitive market as a AI Researcher, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:
- Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
- Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
- Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with AI Researcher requirements.
- Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
- Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.
Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.
Salary & Compensation
Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.
Work Arrangement
Type: On-Site
Standard business hours at the office.
Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process
Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:
1. Initial Research & Tailoring
Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.
2. The Perfect Cover Letter
If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.
3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview
Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.
4. Post-Interview Follow-Up
Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.
By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.
Typical Interview Process
- Resume screening
- HR call
- Skill interview
- Final manager interview
- Offer
Tip: Research the company's products and culture.
Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights
At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:
The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.
Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.
Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.
Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.
Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development
To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:
- Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
- AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
- Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
- Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.
By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.
Apply via JobSetuu
Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This AI Researcher position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.
Career Accelerators
Recommended Career Gear
Amazon Choice
Apple iPad Air 27.59 cm (11″) (M4): Liquid Retina Display, 128 GB, 12MP Front/Back Camera, Wi-Fi 7 with Apple N1, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Space Gray
Amazon Choice
Zooboo Name Stickers Personalized with Kids Name, Waterproof Labels for School Kids, Used On Water Bottles, Snack Boxes, Etc. Best Birthday Return Gift for Kids (Lets Travel, Pack of 40 Labels)
Amazon Choice
TP-Link Archer AX23 AX1800 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (1800 Mbps Speed Gigabit Wireless | Beamforming OFDMA | Next-Gen Platform Dual-Core CPU | One Mesh Easy Setup) Black
Similar Roles
Medical Writer | JobSetuu
RemoteOK Employer
Junior Data Analyst Data Scientist | JobSetuu
RemoteOK Employer
Director of Commercial Operations | JobSetuu
RemoteOK Employer
![HP 15 Laptop, AMD Ryzen 7-5825U [16GB DDR4 Ram/512GB SSD/Win11/Office Home'2024/M365 Basic(1yr)*/Anti-Glare,Micro-Edge,15.6''/39.6cm FHD/Silver,1.59kg /Backlit KB+FHD Camera+Radeon Graphics] fc0533AU](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/713CLhU8hQL._SX679_.jpg)