Research Engineer, Pre-training in London
Research Engineer, Pre-training

Research Engineer, Pre-training in London

London Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Pre-training team to develop next-gen AI language models.
  • Company: Anthropic, a public benefit corporation focused on safe AI systems.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, benefits, and hybrid work options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI research while collaborating with a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: Advanced degree in Computer Science or related field; strong software engineering skills.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and learning.

Join Anthropic, a public benefit corporation dedicated to building safe, interpretable, and steerable AI systems.

About the role

We are seeking a Research Engineer to join our Pretraining team, responsible for developing the next generation of large language models. In this role, you will work at the intersection of cutting‐edge research and practical engineering, contributing to the development of safe, steerable, and trustworthy AI systems.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct research and implement solutions in areas such as model architecture, algorithms, data processing, and optimizer development.
  • Independently lead small research projects while collaborating with team members on larger initiatives.
  • Design, run, and analyze scientific experiments to advance our understanding of large language models.
  • Optimize and scale our training infrastructure to improve efficiency and reliability.
  • Develop and improve dev tooling to enhance team productivity.
  • Contribute to the entire stack, from low‐level optimisations to high‐level model design.

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field.
  • Strong software engineering skills with a proven track record of building complex systems.
  • Expertise in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch preferred).
  • Familiarity with large‐scale machine learning, particularly in the context of language models.
  • Ability to balance research goals with practical engineering constraints.
  • Strong problem‐solving skills and a results‐oriented mindset.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative environment.
  • Care about the societal impacts of your work.

Preferred Experience

  • Work on high‐performance, large‐scale ML systems.
  • Familiarity with GPUs, Kubernetes, and OS internals.
  • Experience with language modelling using transformer architectures.
  • Knowledge of reinforcement learning techniques.
  • Background in large‐scale ETL processes.

You’ll Thrive In This Role If You

  • Have significant software engineering experience.
  • Are results‐oriented with a bias towards flexibility and impact.
  • Willingly take on tasks outside your job description to support the team.
  • Enjoy pair programming and collaborative work.
  • Are eager to learn more about machine learning research.
  • Are enthusiastic to work at an organization that functions as a single, cohesive team pursuing large‐scale AI research projects.
  • Are working to align state‐of‐the‐art models with human values and preferences.
  • View research and engineering as two sides of the same coin and seek to understand all aspects of our research program to maximise your impact.
  • Have ambitious goals for AI safety and general progress.

Sample Projects

  • Optimise the throughput of novel attention mechanisms.
  • Compare compute efficiency of different Transformer variants.
  • Prepare large‐scale datasets for efficient model consumption.
  • Scale distributed training jobs to thousands of GPUs.
  • Design fault tolerance strategies for our training infrastructure.
  • Create interactive visualisations of model internals, such as attention patterns.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Anthropic, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups in tech.

Compensation

Annual Salary: Ā£250,000‐£270,000 GBP + equity, benefits, and potential incentive compensation.

Logistics

Education requirements: At least a Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.

Location‐based hybrid policy: Staff are expected to be in one of our offices at least 25% of the time. Some roles may require a higher percentage.

Visa Sponsorship

We sponsor visas when possible, but we may not be able to sponsor every candidate. We will make every reasonable effort to obtain a visa if you receive an offer.

We Encourage You to Apply

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification. Not all strong candidates will meet every qualification, and we believe diverse perspectives are essential.

How We’re Different

We believe that the highest‐impact AI research requires big science. Our team works collectively on a few large‐scale projects, prioritising steerable, trustworthy AI over smaller puzzles.

Research Engineer, Pre-training in London employer: Anthropic

At Anthropic, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that fosters innovation in AI research. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through opportunities to lead impactful projects and engage in cutting-edge research, all while enjoying competitive compensation and benefits. Located in a vibrant environment, our team thrives on the intersection of research and practical engineering, making meaningful contributions to the future of safe and interpretable AI systems.
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Contact Detail:

Anthropic Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Engineer, Pre-training in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AI and machine learning community, attend meetups, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to large language models or deep learning. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on both technical and soft skills. Practice coding challenges, but also be ready to discuss your thought process and how you collaborate with others. Remember, they want to see how you fit into their team!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Anthropic.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Engineer, Pre-training in London

Research Skills
Software Engineering
Python
Deep Learning Frameworks (PyTorch preferred)
Large-Scale Machine Learning
Model Architecture
Algorithms
Data Processing
Optimizer Development
Scientific Experimentation
Training Infrastructure Optimization
Dev Tooling Development
Transformer Architectures
Reinforcement Learning Techniques
ETL Processes

Some tips for your application 🫔

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Research Engineer role. Highlight your software engineering prowess, especially in Python and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch, to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about AI safety and how your background makes you a great fit for our Pre-training team. Share specific examples of your work that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and collaborative spirit.

Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on relevant projects, whether in academia or industry, make sure to include them! We love seeing how you've tackled challenges in large-scale ML systems or language modelling, so don’t hold back.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Anthropic

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of large language models and the latest advancements in AI. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving Python and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch.

✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past. Think about situations where you balanced research goals with practical constraints, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Collaborate and Communicate

Since this role involves a lot of teamwork, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated on projects and how you approach pair programming or group problem-solving.

✨Align with Their Values

Anthropic cares about the societal impacts of AI, so be prepared to discuss your views on AI safety and ethics. Show that you're not just technically skilled but also passionate about making a positive impact through your work.

Research Engineer, Pre-training in London
Anthropic
Location: London

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