This free Research Scientist job description template is ready to use — copy it, replace the {{placeholders}}, and post your role in minutes. It includes a company intro, a role summary, responsibilities, requirements, nice-to-haves, and compensation, with writing tips and FAQs below to help you tailor it to your team.
When to use this template
Use this when you're hiring someone to do original AI/ML research — advancing the state of the art, running rigorous experiments, and often publishing. It's a research role distinct from applied engineering, and it attracts candidates who care deeply about novelty and rigor.
Research scientist candidates want to know your research areas, how research connects to the product, and whether they can publish. Be specific, because strong researchers evaluate the problem space and the freedom they'll have.
If the role is mostly about shipping models into production, use the Machine Learning Engineer or Applied Scientist template instead.
Writing tips
- Name your research areas and the problems you want to advance.
- Clarify how research connects to the product and whether publication is supported.
- Be clear about the balance between open research and applied work.
- Emphasize rigor and originality, which define the role.
- Include the salary range and seniority level.
The job description
Copy the template below and replace the {{placeholders}} and [bracketed notes] with your specifics.
About {{company}}
{{company}} is [what you do]. We're investing in research in [area], and we're hiring a Research Scientist to push the state of the art.
The role
As a Research Scientist, you'll tackle hard, open problems in [research area] — designing and running rigorous experiments, developing new methods, and sharing what you learn. You'll work at the frontier and help translate breakthroughs into impact. This role reports to {{hiring_manager}} and is based {{work_type}} in {{location}}.
What you'll do
- Define and pursue research questions in [your area].
- Design and run rigorous experiments and analyze results carefully.
- Develop new methods, models, or techniques.
- Publish and share findings internally and, where appropriate, externally.
- Partner with engineers and scientists to translate research into impact.
What we're looking for
- A PhD in a relevant field, or equivalent research experience.
- A track record of original research, ideally with publications.
- Deep expertise in [your research area, e.g. ML, NLP, computer vision].
- Strong experimental rigor and statistical foundations.
- The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
Nice to have
- Publications at top venues in your field.
- Experience bridging research and production.
- Strong engineering skills to prototype your own ideas.
What we offer
- Salary range: {{salary_range}}, plus equity.
- [Comprehensive benefits].
- Flexible {{work_type}} working and [PTO policy].
- Hard problems, real resources, and the freedom to pursue them.
How to personalize
Replace these placeholders before posting:
- {{company}}
- {{location}}
- {{work_type}}
- {{salary_range}}
- {{hiring_manager}}
The bracketed notes — like [your benefits] or [your primary language(s)] — are prompts to swap in your own details. The more specific you are about the actual work and stack, the stronger your applicant pool will be.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a Research Scientist do?
- A Research Scientist advances the state of the art through original research. In AI/ML, they define research questions, design and run rigorous experiments, develop new methods or models, publish findings, and partner with engineers to translate breakthroughs into real-world impact.
- What's the difference between a Research Scientist and an Applied Scientist?
- A Research Scientist focuses on advancing the field with novel methods, often publishing. An Applied Scientist focuses on applying research to real products, bridging science and engineering. Research scientists lean toward novelty and rigor; applied scientists toward practical impact.
- What qualifications should a Research Scientist have?
- Typically a PhD in a relevant field or equivalent research experience, a track record of original research (often with publications), deep expertise in the research area, strong experimental and statistical rigor, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.