Forward Deployed Researcher

About the role

The Forward Deployed Researcher will serve as Prolific's technical research partner to AI labs and enterprise customers. They will advise and prototype bespoke solutions like evaluation methodology, rubric design, data collection approaches, quality frameworks, verifiers and validation frameworks, as well as RL environments. The role involves owning methodology for projects - from scoping through delivery - working alongside our services team.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Prolific's technical research partner on customer engagements with AI labs and enterprise AI teams
• Advise and prototype bespoke solutions like evaluation methodology, rubric design, data collection approaches, quality frameworks, verifiers and validation frameworks, as well as RL environments
• Own methodology for projects - from scoping through delivery - working alongside our services team
• Build trusted relationships with customer research and engineering teams
• Surface patterns from customer work that should become platform capabilities, partnering with Product and Engineering to shape roadmap priorities
• Work with Services and Account teams to qualify opportunities and shape proposals
• Share learnings across the Research Engineering function to strengthen our collective expertise
• Contribute to Prolific's research publications and external collaborations as opportunities arise
• Collaborate with product teams to translate research insights into practical applications
• Mentor team members on advanced AI concepts and emerging research
• Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in AI/ML research, research engineering, or applied ML
• Strong knowledge of LLM evaluation methodologies, data collection design, and human feedback approaches
• Experience designing AI-assisted or model-in-the-loop workflows - you think creatively about where AI can augment human judgment
• Track record of executing research or applied AI/ML projects with clear outcomes
• Can build quickly when needed - you're comfortable prototyping solutions and build your own tooling
• Strong communicator across contexts - you can hold your own with AI lab researchers, translate methodology into actionable recommendations for customers, and bring internal teams along on what matters and why. Prior customer-facing or consulting experience is a plus but not required.

Qualifications

• Based in US, Canada, or Mexico (or able to work US timezone hours)

Benefits

We believe that the next leap in AI capabilities won't come solely from scaling existing models but from integrating diverse human perspectives and behaviors into AI development. By providing this crucial human data infrastructure, Prolific is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of AI innovation—one that reflects the breadth and the best of humanity.

Pay

Your recruiter will also be happy to share the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Schedule

Remote working within our impactful, mission-driven culture.