Principal AI Research Scientist

 SpreeAI is a fast-growing, innovative AI company at the forefront of fashion and e-commerce, revolutionizing how consumers engage with fashion through lifelike photorealistic try-on technology and hyper-personalized shopping experiences. Our mission is to redefine the retail landscape with cutting-edge AI solutions that blend high fashion and technology. Backed by top-tier investors and guided by visionary leadership, SpreeAI has quickly gained a high-profile reputation – the company’s board even includes iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell, underscoring its unique fusion of fashion and tech . We thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where creativity meets technology to drive real impact. If you are passionate about innovation and shaping the future of fashion, SpreeAI offers a platform to make your mark.

We are seeking a Principal AI Research Scientist to lead and accelerate our most ambitious research initiatives. In this role, you will be a player-coach: a scientific leader who not only sets a visionary research agenda but also dives deep into the code, experiments, and data. Our research environment operates at a startup's pace, where priorities can pivot quickly in response to new discoveries and technological breakthroughs. The ideal candidate thrives in this dynamic setting, combining deep scientific rigor with a bias for action and a passion for building. You will tackle ambiguous, high-impact problems, drive projects from ideation to prototype, and mentor a world-class team.

*This is a fully remote opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Define and Lead Research Agenda: Conceive, plan, and direct a portfolio of high-impact, long-term research projects in your area of expertise (e.g., large-scale language models, generative models, reinforcement learning, computer vision).
• Move Fast & Adapt: Drive research velocity by quickly prototyping new ideas and failing fast. Navigate ambiguity and dynamically adjust research priorities based on intermediate results and shifts in the field.
• Hands-On Prototyping: Go beyond theory to build and test proof-of-concept systems. Maintain a strong connection to the engineering and implementation details, ensuring research is both groundbreaking and practical. Write code and run experiments to test hypotheses.
• Fundamental Research & Publication: Conduct state-of-the-art research that results in novel theories, models, and algorithms. Publish findings in top-tier academic venues (e.g., CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, NeurIPS, ICLR) and contribute to the broader scientific community.
• Mentorship and Scientific Leadership: Mentor and guide junior researchers and engineers, providing scientific direction, career guidance, and fostering their growth into future leaders. Act as a thought leader within the organization and the wider AI community.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with engineering, product, and other research teams to translate fundamental research into scalable, real-world applications and groundbreaking technologies.
• Strategic Vision: Stay at the cutting edge of AI advancements, identifying emerging trends and new research opportunities that align with the organization's strategic goals. Influence the overall research direction of the company.

• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of research experience in machine learning or a related field (experience can include PhD research).
• A distinguished track record of publications in top-tier, peer-reviewed conferences and journals.
• Recognized as a leading expert in a specific AI domain, demonstrated through publications, invited talks, patents, or open-source contributions.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and hands-on experience with at least one major deep learning framework (e.g., PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow).
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Large Language Models (LLMs) & Transformers
  • Generative AI (e.g., diffusion models, VAEs, GANs)
  • Multimodal Learning (vision, language, audio)

• 8+ years of post-PhD research experience in an academic or industrial setting.
• Experience setting and leading a long-term, ambitious research agenda that resulted in significant breakthroughs.
• Experience taking a complex AI system from a research concept to a functional prototype.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and developing junior researchers, PhD students, or postdoctoral fellows.
• Proven ability to initiate and lead collaborations across disciplinary and organizational boundaries.

Why Join SpreeAI?

• Impact & Innovation: Join a company that is pioneering the future of fashion with AI. In this role, you’ll have a direct hand in shaping an industry’s transformation and driving SpreeAI’s growth to the next level. Your work will influence how millions of people shop and experience fashion.
• High-Profile Environment: Operate at the heart of a high-profile venture. You’ll work alongside world-class talent and advisors – including fashion icon Naomi Campbell on our board – gaining exposure to top minds in both tech and fashion.
• Leadership & Growth Opportunity: As SpreeAI continues its explosive growth, you’ll grow with us, potentially scaling your team and function worldwide.
• Dynamic Startup Culture: Experience the energy of a fast-paced startup that values innovation, initiative, and high performance. We pride ourselves on a culture where big ideas are celebrated, and everyone is driven to excel. You’ll have the flexibility to implement your vision and the agility to make an immediate impact.
• Competitive Compensation: We offer a competitive compensation package, including base salary, and equity ownership, so you share in the upside you help create. We also provide benefits and perks that support our team’s well-being and success.

To Apply: Please submit your resume on www.spreeai.com/careers. We look forward to exploring how your expertise can drive SpreeAI’s mission forward.