Director, AI research (UK)

Writer is seeking an experienced AI research leader for the Director of AI research position. This pivotal role involves spearheading state-of-the-art AI research initiatives, with a focus on large language models and reasoning agents. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in advanced AI research and will be responsible for shaping and executing our research strategy.

At Writer, we believe in using the power of AI to unlock the potential of the enterprise. With the help of our AI research team, we can continue to build the most advanced language model available in the industry and revolutionise how companies interact with AI. We’re looking for a creative problem solver who has a deep understanding of generative AI and who can help us create powerful and meaningful applications our customers love.

As the Head of AI research at Writer, you will play a crucial role in developing and implementing state-of-the-art generative AI models and algorithms and driving the technical direction of Writer’s AI research efforts on reasoning agents. Collaborating closely with our diverse and dynamic team of software engineers, data scientists, and researchers, you will be able to design and deploy AI solutions that drive our innovative products.

If you’re passionate about using AI to transform the enterprise, then we want to hear from you. This role reports to the CTO.

• Spearhead cutting-edge research: Oversee and contribute to groundbreaking projects, particularly in the development, training, and ethical application of advanced language models. Push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI.
• Stay ahead of the curve: Keep your finger on the pulse of AI advancements, ensuring your team uses the latest research and maintains our competitive edge.
• Shape our research strategy: Define and execute an ambitious research agenda that aligns with Writer's long-term vision and near-term goals, setting us apart in the industry.
• Lead and inspire: Guide a team of talented applied researchers and research engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, rigor, and excellence. Empower your team to deliver their best work.
• Bridge research and product: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform research into tangible evaluation metrics and product features, driving real-world impact.
• Elevate our profile: Drive the publication of high-impact research papers and represent Writer at top-tier conferences and industry events, establishing us as a leader in the AI research community.
• Grow and develop talent: Mentor, develop, and grow the research organization, providing guidance and support to help team members achieve their professional goals, and fostering an environment of continuous learning.

• Advanced LLM applied research: Experience fine-tuning agentic models to improve their performance and utility. A keen understanding of context window efficiency and its impact on model effectiveness.
• Expert-level programming: Proficiency in Python, enabling you to tackle complex projects and optimise performance.
• Proven AI research leadership: A track record of 6-10 years in pioneering AI research, driving innovation, and leading high-impact projects. Demonstrated success in guiding research teams of 5-10 scientists, fostering collaboration, and achieving significant milestones.
• Deep expertise in AI model development: Extensive experience in researching, building, and training AI models, with a particular focus on large language models. Essential proficiency in model frameworks such as PyTorch and/or TensorFlow, ensuring efficient and effective model development.
• Strong publication record: Significant contributions to the AI field, evidenced by publications in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with remote and cross-functional teams, ensuring clear communication and successful project execution.

• Education: A Ph.D. or MS in Computer Science, AI, or a related field is highly preferred, but exceptional candidates with equivalent experience will also be considered.
• People management experience: 1-3 years of people management experience.
• Experience with scalable applications: Experience building scalable applications with LLMs, using frameworks such as LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face, etc.
• Depth of knowledge with RAG implementation: Expertise in RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) implementation and improvements.

• Generous PTO, plus company holidays.
• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance.
• Paid parental leave for all parents (12 weeks).
• Fertility and family planning support.
• Early-detection cancer testing through Galleri.
• Competitive pension scheme and company contribution.
• Annual work-life stipends for: Home office setup, cell phone, internet.
• Wellness stipend for gym, massage/chiropractor, personal training, etc.
• Learning and development stipend.
• Company-wide off-sites and team off-sites.
• Competitive compensation and company stock options.

Writer is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity. We don’t make hiring or employment decisions based on race, colour, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law.