FirstPrinciples ยท 4 months ago
Academic Partnerships Lead
United States
Full-time
Remote
Senior Level, Lead/StaffFirstPrinciples is a non-profit organization focused on advancing scientific discovery through an AI Physicist. They are seeking an exceptional Academic Partnerships Lead to establish FirstPrinciples as a key partner in the global physics research ecosystem, transforming traditional collaborations into impactful partnerships that enhance scientific discovery.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Non Profit
Responsibilities
Identify, prioritize, and secure high-impact collaborations with top universities, research institutes, and laboratories across fundamental physics (CERN, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Max Planck, etc.)
Align all partnerships with the technical roadmap of the AI Physicist, ensuring each collaboration directly advances our capabilities in symbolic reasoning, simulation modules, and experimental data ingestion
Design innovative partnership models (joint research programs, fellowships, shared labs, data-sharing agreements) that accelerate progress of the AI Physicist while providing value to academic partners
Unlock access to experimental and observational datasets critical for AI Physicist training and validation through negotiating complex data-sharing agreements with major research facilities
Coordinate with internal AI/ML and research teams to identify technical gaps and match them with the right academic expertise and collaborators
Facilitate joint proposals for grants, government funding, and philanthropic support with academic partners
Structure collaborative research projects that leverage FirstPrinciples' AI capabilities to accelerate partners' research while advancing our own technical milestones
Lead and expand FP Talks, our flagship virtual talk series, attracting top global researchers, breakthrough scientists, and rising stars to share insights and engage with our community
Launch transformative academic initiatives including international workshops, summer schools, visiting researcher programs, and joint symposia that position FirstPrinciples as the hub for AI-driven physics
Build and nurture an international network of collaborators across multiple physics subfields to expand both breadth and depth of research engagement
Create mechanisms for rapid knowledge transfer between academic partners and FirstPrinciples teams to directly inform AI development
Act as FirstPrinciples' ambassador at major conferences, symposia, and academic forums, presenting our vision and securing strategic partnerships
Serve as the point of contact for academic partners, ensuring clear communication, alignment of goals, and effective execution of projects
Maintain regular reporting and tracking of partnership outcomes, demonstrating how academic collaborations directly contribute to AI Physicist breakthroughs and scientific publications
Navigate complex academic landscapes to create win-win scenarios that advance both FirstPrinciples' mission and partners' research goals
Qualification
Required
Advanced degree in physics or related field (PhD strongly preferred)
Proven track record of building collaborations within academia; prior faculty, institute administration, or academic liaison experience is a plus
Deep understanding of academic culture, incentives, and operational structures (funding, publishing, partnerships)
Exceptional relationship-building and diplomatic skills
Strong program management and strategic planning capabilities
Ability to translate complex physics concepts for diverse audiences
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to bridge FirstPrinciples' AI mission with academic research cultures
Entrepreneurial approach with comfort in a fast-moving, mission-driven startup environment while respecting academic timelines and processes
Demonstrated passion for physics and for making scientific knowledge accessible and impactful
Preferred
Experience with large-scale international research collaborations (e.g., CERN, NASA, etc.)
Familiarity with research funding structures (NSF, ERC, DOE, private foundations) and how to navigate them
Background in fundamental physics research or managing academic-industry partnerships
Company
FirstPrinciples
Building AI to understand the nature of reality.
Founded in 2024
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase