Program Scientist, Agents

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating scientific knowledge through advanced tools and research. They are seeking a Program Scientist to manage the AI Agents pilot program, design new AI agents, and contribute to the overall strategy of the AI Center.

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
• Coordinate and maintain communication with awardee PIs and research teams to track progress and challenges faced over the duration of the award
• Participate in the internal assessment process, including the analysis of incoming scientific proposals and reports in context of the current landscape
• Engage organizational leadership to maintain clear awareness of communication about the program, ensuring leadership feedback is incorporated into the program
• 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 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