Research Scientist, Conversational AI

ASAPP

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New York hybrid Until 8/22/2026 H-1B sponsor history First posted April 20, 2026 Last posted April 20, 2026
Job description
At ASAPP, our mission is simple: deliver the best AI-powered customer experience—faster than anyone else. To achieve that, we’re guided by principles that shape how we think, build, and execute. We value customer obsession, purposeful speed, ownership, and a relentless focus on outcomes. We work in tight, skilled teams, prioritize clarity over complexity, and continuously evolve through curiosity, data, and craftsmanship. We’re seeking technologists and problem solvers who thrive in fast-paced environments, love collaborating with great talent, and approach every day like it’s Day 1.
 
We're a globally diverse team with hubs in New York City, Mountain View, Latin America, and India—embracing both hybrid and remote work to bring the best minds together, wherever they are. If you're driven by continuous learning, rapid pivots, and the challenges of building in a high-growth startup, we’d love to talk. This is more than a job—it’s a journey.
 
Position Overview: We are expanding our research team and looking for an experienced Research Scientist specializing in Conversational AI & Machine Learning. In this role, you will work on solving scientific challenges related to Conversational AI to build domain-specific, real-world solutions. You will have the opportunity to leverage the massive amounts of data generated by our products to ask fundamental research questions, while deploying AI features into real-world applications.

What you'll do

  • Hands-on Research: Be deeply involved in hands-on technical work in any and all aspects of research projects from early exploration to working prototypes to achieve successful real-world applications.

  • Research Leadership: Identify promising applications of AI relevant to ASAPP’s core mission, formulate and advocate for research programs in those areas, and take ownership of driving impactful research initiatives.

  • Collaboration & Advocacy: Work with cross-functional teams to socialize your research findings, advocate for their application, and guide the productization of those findings to improve customer experience solutions.

  • Documentation & Publication: Document significant experimental results, contribute to publishing peer-reviewed papers, and participate in patenting innovations.

  • Mentorship: Mentor and guide junior researchers, helping them develop their skills in independent research and the communication of their findings.

What we're looking for

  • Education: PhD in a relevant field (such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, etc.)

  • Technical Expertise: Strong research experience in LLMs, Conversational AI, or Speech systems, including practical knowledge of algorithm design, model development, and experimental evaluation.  Ideally with a focus on real-world applications.

  • Mentorship: Experience in coaching and guiding junior researchers or research engineers.

  • Hands-on Contribution: As an individual contributor, you’ll be expected to lead experiments, perform hands-on research, and drive the execution of innovative projects.

  • Enthusiasm: A passion for continued learning and deepening expertise in machine learning and AI, with a strong desire to apply research in impactful ways.

What we'd like to see

  • Experience with Spoken Conversational AI applications or Speech LLMs.

  • Ability to develop and lead independent research programs.

  • A collaborative mindset, eager to share research findings and drive their application across product teams.

  • Experience in a startup environment, with the ability to balance deep research and rapid execution.

Compensation (from employer):
190000–230000 USD per year

About this role

Summary

Lead research and develop Conversational AI solutions, mentor Juniors, publish findings

Job title

Research Scientist, Conversational AI

Experience level

PhD

Industry

software

Location requirements

Remote or hybrid work in New York allowed

Salary

190000–230000 USD per year

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

PhDresearch experience in LLMsconversational AIspeech systemsalgorithm design

Preferred skills

spoken conversational AIspeech LLMsindependent researchcollaborative mindset

Specializations

conversational AImachine learninglarge language modelsspeech systems
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

New York, NY, USA

Hybrid City
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