Research Scientist, AI for the Chemical Sciences
California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA · Posted November 1, 2026
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Where Pasadena, CA ranks
Where Pasadena, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #12Cities hosting the most business conferences in the West Coast4 conferences · of 17
- #14Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the West Coast12% · of 54
- #18Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the West Coast14% · of 53
- #21Best cities for junior jobs in California27% · of 54
- #22Best college towns for junior jobs in the West Coast29% · of 50
- #24Cities hosting the most technology & software conferences2 conferences · of 31
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%)
- AI tools named most often in data and analytics jobs #1 Databricks (7.6%)
- Employers with the most data and analytics jobs #1 Amazon (711 roles)
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Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 49 open research scientist listings that state pay, the middle half runs $195,000 to $287,500 and the median is $231,500.
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
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
Job Summary
We seek a Research Scientist with expertise at the interface of machine learning, data science, and the chemical sciences to lead the AI for the Chemical Sciences Summer Bootcamp. This individual will design and deliver an intensive, hands-on educational program while working closely with faculty from the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (CCE) and external experts. The Research Scientist will also support post-bootcamp research integration, enabling participants to apply AI/ML methods to active research projects across CCE. The role is central to building sustainable computational infrastructure, curriculum, and collaborative research pathways in AI-enabled chemistry.
Essential Job Duties
Lead the design, development, and delivery of a two-week immersive summer bootcamp on AI/ML for the chemical sciences.
Develop and teach lectures and hands-on computational laboratories covering data curation, molecular representations, machine learning models, deep learning, generative models, and applications in reactions, catalysis, and spectroscopy.
Coordinate with CCE faculty and invited guest lecturers to integrate domain expertise into the curriculum.
Provide year-round mentorship and technical support to bootcamp participants as they transition AI/ML skills into active research projects within CCE laboratories.
Develop and maintain computational workflows, datasets, and teaching materials for reuse and long-term integration into CCE training programs.
Support interdisciplinary research collaborations that combine experimental and computational approaches.
Contribute to the development or operation of shared automation or robotic experimentation platforms linked to AI-driven research.
Publish and disseminate methodological or applied research outcomes arising from bootcamp-enabled projects.
Assist with assessment, reporting, and continuous improvement of the bootcamp program.
Participate in outreach, workshops, and related educational activities within CCE.
Perform other related job duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications
PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, computer science, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated expertise in machine learning and data science applied to problems in the chemical sciences.
Experience developing and implementing computational workflows for chemical data analysis or modeling.
Strong programming skills relevant to scientific computing and ML.
Experience teaching, mentoring, or training students and researchers.
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and administrative staff.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
High scientific rigor, creativity, and ethical standards.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience applying ML to molecular property prediction, reactions, catalysis, or spectroscopy.
Familiarity with deep learning architectures such as graph neural networks and generative models.
Experience with ML-accelerated electronic structure methods, molecular dynamics, or spectral analysis.
Experience with automation hardware or robotic platforms for chemical experimentation.
Background in curriculum development or educational program leadership.
Familiarity with best practices in data curation, model interpretability, and responsible AI use.
Required Documents
Resume