Research Scientist – Personalization

Spotify

. Conduct original research in machine learning and AI focused on large-scale foundation models, generative AI, and post-training methods, including reinforcement learning .

Posted 9/21/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence, with a focus on large-scale foundation models and generative AI. Proven ability to design experiments, develop methodologies, and contribute to the scientific community through publications and collaboration.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Machine Learning ExpertiseArtificial Intelligence ResearchPost-Training MethodsReinforcement LearningExperiment Design

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Machine LearningArtificial IntelligenceReinforcement LearningPost-Training MethodsLarge-Scale Distributed TrainingModel EvaluationExperiment DesignReal-World DatasetsPersonalization SystemsEvaluation Frameworks

Soft Skills

CuriosityCreativityCollaborative ApproachThoughtful Problem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

Master’s DegreePhD

Industry Keywords

NeurIPSICLRICMLKDDRecSysResearch PublicationsUser BehaviorMusic RecommendationsPodcast RecommendationsCross-Functional Collaboration

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conduct original research in machine learning and AI focused on large-scale foundation models, generative AI, and post-training methods, including reinforcement learning
Develop novel methodologies, models, and evaluation frameworks for personalization systems
Design and execute rigorous experiments to explore ideas and validate research hypotheses
Contribute to the scientific community through publications, talks, and conference participation
Collaborate with cross-functional partners to translate research insights into long-term product opportunities
Define and evolve a forward-looking research agenda aligned with Spotify’s personalization strategy
Mentor others and contribute to a curious, collaborative research culture
Help improve recommendations for Spotify listeners across music and podcasts

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master’s or PhD in machine learning, AI, or a related field, or equivalent research experience
Demonstrated expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence through peer-reviewed publications at conferences such as NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML, KDD, or RecSys
Deep knowledge of machine learning
Hands-on experience with post-training and reinforcement learning for large models, reward design, large-scale distributed training, or evaluation of model behavior
Experience designing experiments and working with real-world datasets
Interest in advancing understanding of user behavior and improving experiences across music and talk content
Curiosity, creativity, and a thoughtful approach to complex, open-ended problems
Collaborative approach and willingness to seek diverse perspectives

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equal opportunity employer
Reasonable accommodations during the interview and application process
Flexibility to work where you work best
Flexibility to work from home
In-person meetings with flexible work arrangements