About this role

ABOUT THE ROLE A seed-stage deeptech startup at the frontier of AI-driven materials discovery is hiring a Head of AI Research to define and lead its AI-for-Materials research agenda. This is a founding-level research leadership role sitting at the intersection of machine learning, physics, chemistry, and automated experimentation. You will shape the systems and science that translate cutting-edge insights into reliable, end-to-end materials discovery pipelines — helping compress decade-long R&D timelines into years.

The company operates an autonomous laboratory platform that integrates robotics, physics-informed AI, and real-world experimental data to accelerate the discovery of next-generation materials, with a particular focus on the energy sector. The research team you build and lead will be central to the company's scientific differentiation and long-term impact. This role requires on-site presence in Berlin, Germany. Visa sponsorship is not available.

WHAT YOU'LL DO - Define how AI can understand, reason about, and discover materials across scales — setting the company's research thesis for AI-native materials discovery. - Identify where existing ML paradigms fall short for physical matter and specify what must be built instead. - Spearhead development of a Materials World Model that connects experiments, simulations, and learned representations. - Establish and communicate a clear research vision and roadmap, framing thesis-level bets and high-impact research priorities.

- Lead cross-functional collaboration with Programs, Hardware & Automation, and Software Architecture teams to embed AI research into end-to-end discovery loops. - Ensure all models and pipelines remain grounded in physical reality and validated by experimental feedback — not solely data-driven patterns. - Balance long-horizon research ambition with near-term deliverables and scientific rigor. - Build and lead a world-class research team: hire, mentor, and challenge senior ML researchers and scientists.

- Foster a culture that values deep thinking, honest evaluation, scientific taste, and intellectual courage. - Influence the broader field through collaborations, publications, and a clear, opinionated point of view on future directions in scientific ML. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Required: - Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in machine learning, physics, chemistry, or a closely related field, with strong scientific fundamentals.

- 7+ years of experience in AI research, including demonstrated leadership of senior individual contributors. - Deep expertise in representation learning, scientific ML, or foundation models with relevance to materials science or physical systems. - Strong intuition for physical systems, chemistry, or physics and their constraints on model design. - Proven ability to operate at the boundary between theory, systems, and real-world experimental feedback.

- Demonstrated scientific judgment, comfort with irreversible prioritization under uncertainty, and clear communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences. - Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus. - Based in Berlin or willing to relocate. Nice to Have: - Experience in autonomous experimentation, active learning, or closed-loop discovery systems. - Background in energy materials, catalysis, or adjacent fields.

- Track record of publications or contributions that have shaped a research subfield. - Experience scaling research teams at an early-stage company or research lab. LOCATION & WORK ARRANGEMENT This is a full-time, on-site role based in Berlin, Germany. Candidates must be located in Berlin or willing to relocate. Visa sponsorship is not available. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Compensation details will be discussed during the interview process and will be competitive for a senior research leadership role at a well-funded deeptech startup.

Equity participation is part of the package.

Source listing: ashby_clera