Research Scientist, LLM Agents (Foundational Research)

Foundational Research is the dedicated core Machine Learning research division of Thomson Reuters. We are focused on research and development, with a particular focus on advanced algorithms and training techniques for Large Language Models (LLMs). We are building a strong foundation of research capabilities across different areas and are looking for scientists who participate in designing, coding, conducting experiments, translating findings into concrete deliverables and engaging with the academic community.

Our focus areas are:

• LLM Training (Continued Pretraining, Instruction Tuning, Reinforcement Learning Alignment, Distributed Training, Efficient ML techniques)
• Post-training techniques for planning, reasoning & complex workflows (e.g., Reasoning Models, LLMs + Knowledge Graphs, Test time compute, CoT pipelines, Tool use & API calling, etc.)
• Data-centric Machine Learning (Synthetic Data, Curriculum Learning, Learned data mixtures, etc.)
• Evaluation (Benchmarks, Human-in-the-loop, red teaming/Adversarial Testing, Hallucination detection, ...)

We work collaboratively both with TR Labs (TR’s applied research division), academic partners at world-leading research institutions and subject matter experts with decades of experience. We experiment, prototype, test, and deliver ideas in the pursuit of smarter and more valuable models trained on an unprecedented wealth of data and powered by state-of-the-art technical infrastructure. Through our unique institutional experience, we have access to an unprecedented number of subject matter experts involved in data collection, testing and evaluation of trained models.

As a Research Scientist, you will play a key part in a diverse global team of experts. We hire world-leading specialists in ML/NLP/GenAI, as well as Engineering, to drive the company’s leading internal AI model development. You will have the opportunity to publish your research findings as well as contribute to our proprietary AI model research & development. Thomson Reuters Labs is known for consistently delivering successful data-driven ML solutions in pursuit of academic excellence and support of high-growth products that serve Thomson Reuters customers in new and exciting ways.

About the role

In this opportunity, as a Research Scientist you will:

• Innovate: You will innovate and create new state-of-the-art Agent AI/LLM Agent approaches at the cutting edge of AI research. You will contribute ideas and work on solving real-world challenges using a wealth of data in agentic contexts.
• Experiment and Develop: You are involved in the entire research & model development lifecycle, brainstorming, coding, testing, and delivering high-quality reports at leading international academic conferences.
• Collaborate: Working on a collaborative global team of research engineers both within Thomson Reuters and our academic partners at world-leading universities.
• Communicate: Actively engage in sharing our technical findings with the wider community through contributions to seminars, lectures, conferences and/or the sharing of publications and/or technical assets (data & models).

About you

You’re a fit for the role if your background includes:

• Required qualifications:

• Completed or in the process of obtaining PhD in a relevant discipline.
• First-author publications in top-tier conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, NAACL, ICLR) with specific focus on agent systems, tool use, or multi-agent coordination.
• Familiarity with one or more deep learning frameworks (e.g. pytorch, jax, tensorflow, …).
• Excellent communication skills to report and present research findings and developments clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Curious and innovative disposition capable of devising novel, well-founded algorithmic solutions to relevant problems.
• Self-driven attitude and ability of working with limited supervision.
• Comfortable in working in fast-paced, agile environments, managing uncertainty and ambiguity.

• High-impact publications in top-tier conferences or other influence in the research community.
• Experience in ML Research beyond completing a PhD (e.g. supervision, industry experience, leading academic initiatives, …).
• Extensive experience with deep learning frameworks and large-scale model training.
• Extensive experience working on agent-based systems, tool-using AI, or multi-agent coordination in LLM contexts (e.g. startup, industry, or extensive open-source experience).
• Strong software and/or infrastructure engineering skills and ensuring well-managed software delivery, as evidenced by code contributions to popular open-source libraries or writing production code.
• Experience training large-scale models over distributed nodes with cloud tools and providers such as Amazon AWS, MS Azure, LambdaLabs or Google Cloud.

You will enjoy:

• Learning and development: On-the-job coaching and learning as well as the opportunity to work with cutting-edge methods and technologies.
• Plenty of data, compute, and high-impact problems: Our scientists and engineers get to explore large datasets and discover new capabilities and insights.
• Competitive compensation & benefits packages: The opportunity to earn while learning new skills.
• Hybrid Work Model: We’ve adopted a flexible hybrid working environment (2-3 days a week in the office depending on the role) for our office-based roles while delivering a seamless experience that is digitally and physically connected.
• Flexibility & Work-Life Balance: Flex My Way is a set of supportive workplace policies designed to help manage personal and professional responsibilities.
• Career Development and Growth: By fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development, we prepare our talent to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and deliver real-world solutions.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: We offer comprehensive benefit plans to include flexible vacation, two company-wide Mental Health Days off, access to the Headspace app, retirement savings, tuition reimbursement, employee incentive programs, and resources for mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.
• Culture: Globally recognized, award-winning reputation for inclusion and belonging, flexibility, work-life balance, and more.
• Social Impact: Make an impact in your community with our Social Impact Institute.
• Making a Real-World Impact: We are one of the few companies globally that helps its customers pursue justice, truth, and transparency.