Program Scientist, Agents

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 that focuses on accelerating scientific knowledge through advanced tools in areas like AI and advanced computing. The Program Scientist will manage the AI Agents pilot program, design and build new AI agents, and support the overall strategy of Schmidt Sciences.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the AI Agents pilot program
• Design and build new AI agents and other AI programs
• Support other programs and program explorations across the AI Center
• Contribute to the overall strategy of Schmidt Sciences
• Oversee the program’s strategy, setting ambitious, concrete, and measurable goals for the program, being responsible for delivery against those goals, and helping to measure progress against the strategy
• Manage the program’s budget, monitoring expenditures and forecasting future needs to ensure efficient use of resources
• Manage the program’s team, ensuring the program has sufficient internal and external staff to execute its strategy, and securing additional resources when necessary. Manage and convene external advisors as needed to ensure program benefits from top scientific thinking at the intersection of AI and humanities
• Oversee the program’s efforts to identify, source, and fund the best people and projects, in line with the program’s strategy
• In collaboration with the Grantee Affairs Manager, Coordinate and maintain communication with awardee PIs and research teams to track progress and challenges faced over the duration of the award. Periodically assess if additional or different kinds of support could be necessary or beneficial
• Participate in the internal assessment process, including the analysis of incoming scientific proposals and reports in context of the current landscape. Assess program’s awards and other activities, utilizing metrics and analysis to measure success and inform strategic decision-making
• Engage organizational leadership to maintain clear awareness of communication about the program, ensuring leadership feedback is incorporated into the program. In coordination with the Communications Team, Manage external communication about the program, including website, social media, and interviews
• Start, manage, and grow relationships with universities, scientific research institutions, science collaboratives/funds, incubators, science-focused government organizations, and philanthropic organizations
• Develop ideas for promising AI agents and other AI programs, where philanthropy can have impact at the intersection of AI, science, and technology
• Test initial ideas with internal and external experts to refine them
• Develop and pitch program concepts to leadership
• For programs that get approval for initial explorations (“seedlings”), develop the success criteria and execute on the initial exploration
• Contribute to the design, evolution, and execution of the AI Center’s strategy
• Design and build new AI-focused programs. Support existing AI Center programs by providing networking assistance, scientific expertise, and mentorship, as necessary, and by working closely and collaboratively with the teams responsible for delivery. Contribute to the team’s assessment of proposals. Envision, plan, and execute on strategic AI grants or other opportunities for AI and advanced computing, drawing on an extensive network in scientific and academic circles
• Contribute to the improvement of the AI team’s operations, including our grantmaking, budgeting, events & convening, and other processes
• Design and organize effective convenings around strategic program goals, including community building and accelerating science outcomes
• Act as a conduit for bringing in innovative ideas and perspectives from the AI community, actively engaging with stakeholders to identify emerging trends and opportunities for collaboration
• As needed, work with team members to develop new programs that might support technology, talent, or specific future pathways for the field
• Contribute to the overall scientific priorities in the AI and advanced computing portfolio and set future directions for engagement
• Serve as an expert advisor at Schmidt Sciences on topics in AI and advanced computing
• Work with other members of the Schmidt Sciences team to drive organizational priorities and model our values
• Identify potential partners for Schmidt Sciences, including universities, labs, other research facilities, and philanthropic and government organizations
• Participate in relevant industry or academic conferences and events, representing Schmidt Sciences’ presence on AI and advanced computing issues