Research Scientist, Post-Training (AI Data Startup)
ScrumAID
San Francisco, CA · Posted November 1, 2026
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November 2026
- #1Best cities for security jobs316 openings · of 20
- #1Best cities for technology jobs7,178 openings · of 100
- #1Best cities for financial services pay after cost of living$173k · of 33
- #1Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills35% · of 100
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- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the West Coast902 jobs · of 47
Rankings about data & analytics jobs
- Best cities for data and analytics jobs #1 New York (1,713 openings)
- Best cities for data and analytics pay after cost of living #1 Foster ($232k)
- Most requested AI skills in data and analytics jobs #1 Machine learning engineering (17.1%)
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Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 73 open research scientist listings that state pay, the middle half runs $168,000 to $310,000 and the median is $240,000.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among medical scientists, except epidemiologists is little observed so far. Measured exposure for medical scientists, except epidemiologists: 4% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
A venture-backed startup supplies datasets for model training, plus evaluation tooling, to leading AI labs. It is a small team where individual researchers directly influence how future models learn. The scientist in this seat will show, through experiments, that the data really changes model behavior.
Day to day
Plan and execute controlled supervised fine-tuning and reinforcement-learning experiments that isolate the effect of specific datasets
Measure gains in areas such as reasoning, tool use, extended multi-step tasks and workflows tied to specific domains
Present results to partner labs in a form that backs up the commercial conversation
Collaborate with internal teammates to refine data quality using what the experiments reveal
Research profile
Two to six years of post-training work on large models, including hands-on reinforcement-learning methods
Solid grounding in LLM training and evaluation, plus strong PyTorch and distributed-training skills
Fascination with how the structure, selection and quality of data shape model behavior
Able to design lean experiments quickly and draw useful conclusions from noisy outcomes
Comfortable moving between domains such as finance, software engineering and policy
Prefers building to theorizing; a PhD is not required
On-site in the San Francisco Bay Area. Visa transfers are considered.