Head of AI Research

Overview

Dunia is building AI for one of the hardest unsolved problems in science: turning materials discovery from an academic, trial-and-error process into a programmable, scalable discipline.

As Head of AI Research, you will define and lead Dunia’s AI-for-Materials agenda at the intersection of machine learning, physics, chemistry, and automated experimentation. This role is about more than applying existing ML techniques to scientific data. It is about inventing the representations, learning paradigms, and evaluation frameworks that allow AI to reason about matter across scales.

You will spearhead the development of Dunia's Material's World Model, shaping how AI interacts with experiments and simulations, and how scientific insight is translated into systems that reliably produce new materials with real-world impact.

Responsibilities

Set the intellectual direction for AI for Materials

• Define Dunia’s research thesis for AI-native materials discovery
• Identify where existing ML paradigms fail when applied to physical matter, and what must be built instead
• Decide which research bets have the potential to shift the field, not just improve benchmarks

Build and lead a world-class research team

• Hire, mentor, and challenge senior ML researchers and scientists
• Create an environment that values deep thinking, honest evaluation, and intellectual courage
• Set a high bar for scientific taste, clarity, and originality

Turn research into systems that discover

• Work closely with Programs, Hardware & Automation, and Software Architecture to embed research into end-to-end discovery loops
• Ensure models are grounded in physical reality and experimental feedback, not just data abstractions
• Balance long-horizon research with near-term delivery without reducing ambition

Shape the external field

• Influence how AI for Materials is discussed, evaluated, and pursued across academia and industry
• Build collaborations that extend Dunia’s reach while protecting focus and IP
• Represent a clear, opinionated point of view on where the field should go next

Profile

• PhD in ML; background in physics, chemistry, or a related field desired
• 7+years experience in AI research, including leadership of senior ICs
• Deep experience in representation learning, scientific ML, or foundation models
• Strong intuition for physical systems and their constraints
• Proven ability to operate at the boundary between theory, systems, and real-world feedback
• High scientific taste and comfort making irreversible prioritization decisions under uncertainty
• Clear communicator who can align researchers, engineers, and leadership around ambitious goals
• English fluency, additional languages preferred

About Us

Dunia, meaning “world” in over 20 languages, reflects our focus on building technologies that deliver abundance globally. By combining physics, AI, and automation, we accelerate materials discovery for next-generation energy and industrial systems. Our work helps make energy more accessible and materials more affordable and resilient while reshaping how science moves from idea to impact. Join us to work on problems where progress truly compounds.

Need more convincing? Watch this video.

We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and safe to be their authentic self. Non-traditional career paths are welcome and valued. If you share our vision, you can be certain that we want you to succeed. You might be just the right candidate for this or for other roles that have not opened yet.

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