At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement programming languages tools for cutting-edge reasoning technology.
- Company: Basis, a nonprofit AI research organisation focused on solving complex societal problems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working hours, and opportunities for in-person collaboration.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to tackling big challenges and fostering human values.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact by advancing the understanding of intelligence and programming languages.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in programming languages, with a strong research and software development background.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Basis
Basis is a nonprofit applied AI research organization with two mutually reinforcing goals. The first is to understand and build intelligence, establishing the mathematical principles of reasoning, learning, decision-making, understanding, and explanation; and constructing software that implements these principles. The second is to advance society’s ability to solve intractable problems, expanding the scale, complexity, and breadth of problems we can solve today, and accelerating our ability to solve problems in the future. To achieve these goals, we’re building a new technological foundation inspired by human reasoning and a collaborative organization that prioritises human values.
About the Role
Research scientists advance Basis’ efforts to develop a deeper understanding of the conceptual, mathematical, and computational principles of intelligence. Research scientists at Basis are distinguished by the following traits:
- Exceptional technical depth—solid mathematical and computational foundations.
- A builder's mindset—ability to design, construct, and refine complex systems from foundational principles.
- Scientific rigor—rigorous, high-quality, robust science, without fear of tinkering, making mistakes, and exploring radically different ideas.
Basis is a collaborative effort, both internally and with external partners; we seek individuals who enjoy working with others on larger problems.
Programming Languages Research Scientists
This role targets experts in programming languages design, implementation, and analysis. Research scientists will help design and implement the core computational reasoning systems that Basis is developing. The core areas of PL research encompass compiler design, partial evaluation, program analysis, abstract interpretation, and program transformation, developed within the context of building reasoning systems. Consequently, research scientists will also engage with topics such as probabilistic programming, automatic differentiation, and SAT/SMT solvers.
We expect you to:
- Have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant area.
- Have demonstrated an ability to conduct first-class scientific research, published in venues such as PLDI, OOPSLA, and POPL, or in technical reports.
- Have demonstrated an ability to write excellent software.
- Be excited about solving real-world problems and having a positive societal impact.
- Have demonstrated significant technical achievements within PL research and engineering.
Examples include:
- You’ve designed the full stack of a novel programming language, from formalised semantics to an optimised compiler.
- You’ve contributed heavily to the compiler infrastructure of a machine learning or statistics framework, such as PyTorch, Stan, or Jax.
- You’ve built a program analysis technique that has helped identify bugs or inefficiencies in a real code base.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain programming languages tools for Basis' core reasoning technology.
- Develop and explore computational theories of intelligence, including reasoning, learning, and decision-making.
- Collaborate with domain experts on Basis scientific and societal challenge problems.
- Publish and present findings in journals and conferences (optional).
- Contribute to the culture and direction of Basis.
Role Details
Exceptional candidates who may not meet all of the following criteria are still encouraged to apply.
- FT/PT: This is a full-time position.
- Hours: While we prioritise in-person collaboration for its benefits to creative work, there is flexibility in your working hours. Be prepared to attend multi-day Basis-wide in-person events.
- Location: This role is in-person in either New York City or Cambridge, MA.
- Salary range: Competitive salary and bonuses.
Non-Discrimination Notice
Basis Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics and prohibits discrimination based on all protected characteristics.
Privacy Notice
By submitting your application, you grant Basis permission to use your materials for both hiring evaluation and recruitment-related research and development purposes. Your information may be processed in different countries, including the US. You retain copyright while providing Basis a licence to use these materials for the stated purposes.
Research Scientist, Compilers and Programming Languages employer: basis-research
Basis is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, prioritising human values while tackling complex societal challenges through applied AI research. Located in vibrant cities like New York City and Cambridge, MA, employees benefit from competitive salaries, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth in a cutting-edge field. Joining Basis means being part of a mission-driven team dedicated to advancing our understanding of intelligence and making a positive impact on society.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Scientist, Compilers and Programming Languages
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with researchers at conferences. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job or can give you insider tips about Basis.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your projects, especially those related to programming languages and compilers. This is your chance to demonstrate your exceptional technical depth and builder's mindset.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your scientific rigor. Be ready to discuss your past research and how it aligns with Basis' goals. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms—communication is key!
✨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 excited about solving real-world problems and making a positive impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Scientist, Compilers and Programming Languages
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your exceptional technical depth and any significant achievements in programming languages research. We want to see how you've tackled complex problems and what innovative solutions you've come up with!
Be a Builder:Demonstrate your builder's mindset by sharing examples of systems you've designed or constructed from the ground up. We love seeing how you’ve taken foundational principles and turned them into something tangible.
Keep It Rigorous:When writing your application, maintain a scientific rigor in your approach. Don’t shy away from discussing your mistakes or the radical ideas you’ve explored; it shows your commitment to high-quality, robust science.
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 this exciting opportunity at Basis!
How to prepare for a job interview at basis-research
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the mathematical and computational principles relevant to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of programming languages, compiler design, and any specific techniques like probabilistic programming or program analysis that might come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Builder's Mindset
Be ready to discuss your past projects where you've designed and constructed complex systems. Highlight your ability to tinker and explore different ideas, as this aligns with the scientific rigor they value. Bring examples of how you've tackled real-world problems through your work.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since Basis values collaboration, prepare to talk about your experiences working in teams. Share specific instances where you’ve collaborated with others to solve larger problems, and emphasise your ability to communicate effectively with domain experts.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions. Review your past research publications and be ready to explain your methodologies and findings. Practise articulating complex concepts clearly, as this will demonstrate your expertise and communication skills.
