Research Scientist - Frontier Benchmarks

About Snorkel

At Snorkel, we believe meaningful AI doesn’t start with the model, it starts with the data.

We’re on a mission to help enterprises transform expert knowledge into specialized AI at scale. The AI landscape has gone through incredible changes since 2015, when Snorkel started as a research project in the Stanford AI Lab, to the generative AI breakthroughs of today. But one thing has remained constant: the data you use to build AI is the key to achieving differentiation, high performance, and production-ready systems. We work with some of the world’s largest organizations to empower scientists, engineers, financial experts, product creators, journalists, and more to build custom AI with their data faster than ever before. Excited to help us redefine how AI is built? Apply to be the newest Snorkeler!

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're looking for a Research Scientist to lead the design of next-generation benchmarks and datasets that push the boundaries of frontier model evaluation. You'll define what "good" looks like across a range of hard tasks, drawing on conversations with customers and academic partners to ground your datasets in real performance gaps. You'll build both the benchmarks that measure those gaps and the training data that helps close them, then partner with delivery, product, and go-to-market to bring what you build into production.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to shape how the field measures progress in frontier AI, and who's energized by doing that work inside a fast-moving, cross-functional startup.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Design state of the art datasets that drive frontier model training and evaluation based on current model performance and academic partnerships

Translate benchmark insights into clear, compelling narratives that articulate the ROI of expert-curated data for customer-facing presentations, technical reports, and go-to-market materials.

Work cross-functionally with data operations, product, engineering, and strategy to surface research findings that inform the company roadmap.

Stay at the frontier of LLM evaluation research and bring best practices into Snorkel's workflows

Represent Snorkel's research externally through publications, blog posts, conference talks, and customer engagements that advance the conversation around data-centric AI

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong research background in AI/ML evaluation, NLP, or related fields, with a track record of rigorous experimental design — especially around measuring the impact of training and evaluation data on model behavior.

Exceptional communication skills — able to present complex technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

Comfort operating in a fast-moving, cross-functional environment with ambiguous problem spaces

Genuine interest in GTM strategy, startup dynamics, and the commercial side of AI data services.

Ph.D. in machine learning, NLP, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry or research lab experience considered.

Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

Salary range(s) for this role

$200,000 — $375,000 USD

Be Your Best at Snorkel

Joining Snorkel AI means becoming part of a company that has market proven solutions, robust funding, and is scaling rapidly—offering a unique combination of stability and the excitement of high growth. As a member of our team, you’ll have meaningful opportunities to shape priorities and initiatives, influence key strategic decisions, and directly impact our ongoing success. Whether you’re looking to deepen your technical expertise, explore leadership opportunities, or learn new skills across multiple functions, you’re fully supported in building your career in an environment designed for growth, learning, and shared success.

Snorkel AI is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Snorkel AI embraces diversity and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Snorkel AI prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, performance, merit, and business need.