2026 PhD Residency - AI for Chemistry (Early Stage Project)

About the role

This residency offers an opportunity to collaborate with the X Project team to apply AI and computational techniques to the project's mission. The role involves understanding project challenges, suggesting AI applications, prototyping solutions, and engaging with the resident intern community.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the X Project team to apply AI and computational techniques to the project's mission.
• Understand the project’s challenges and suggest ways in which AI can apply to those challenges.
• Prototype solutions and work closely with team members to implement them.
• Attend and engage in discussions at tech-talks with AI leaders from across X.
• Learn Moonshot thinking and participate in colloquiums and tech talks.
• Engage with the resident intern community during the program.
• Have fun!

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a doctoral (PhD) program in AI, machine learning, chemistry, computational chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience with one or more general purpose programming languages, including but not limited to: Python, Java, C/C++.
• Experience with one or more of computational chemistry, synthesis planning, and/or solution-phase organic reaction simulation.
• Experience with machine learning systems, algorithms, or applications such as: deep learning, computer vision, robotics, optimization, on-device learning, nlp, audio/speech recognition, signal processing or time-series analysis.
• Experience working with molecular representations.
• Experience in applying computational techniques to simulating reactions (solution phase organic reactions, etc).
• An understanding of techniques in ML/RL and how they might be applied to synthesis and retrosynthesis planning.

Qualifications

• Experience in organic chemistry (synthesis, mechanisms, etc).

Skills

• Organic chemistry (synthesis, mechanisms, etc).

Benefits

The project offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• A base salary range of $109,000 - $157,000 + benefits.
• Embedded into one of our confidential or public X projects.
• To be a part of a lively community of AI and ML Residents.
• To attend tech-talks with AI leaders from across X.

Pay

The US base salary range for this position is $109,000 - $157,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

This is a year-round rolling basis program with a flexible duration of 4 months to 1 year based on project team needs and your availability.

Additional Public Information

• Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X, speaks at Wired25
• Alphabet X’s Astro Teller on Bloomberg Studio

Equal Opportunity Employer

X is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.