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Toyota Research Institute · 4 hours ago

Staff Research Scientist, Culture & Systems Dynamics

Los Altos, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff

$208K/yr - $312K/yr

Toyota Research Institute (TRI) is on a mission to improve the quality of human life through innovative tools and capabilities. The Staff Research Scientist will lead research on culture and systems dynamics, developing interventions to enhance collective wellbeing and performance in complex environments.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)AutomotiveConsumer ResearchMachine LearningProduct Research

Comp. & Benefits

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Design and evaluate real-world interventions (e.g., cluster or step-wedge trials, policy pilots, network interventions) to improve workforce wellbeing, safety culture, and trust across Toyota and partner organizations

Integrate ethnographic and behavioral data into computational representations of social systems, using methods such as causal inference, social network analysis, or agent-based modeling

Model diffusion and adoption dynamics—how culture, norms, and trust propagate through teams and organizations

Collaborate with machine learning and AI researchers to embed cultural and organizational constructs in the Toyota People System’s architecture

Develop ethical, evidence-based measurement frameworks for cultural health, burnout resilience, and collective intelligence

Translate findings into action through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and design recommendations that inform human-centered AI products and organizational strategies

Advance responsible research practices, including IRB and open-science principles, for human-subjects work in organizational settings

Qualification

Ph.D. in relevant fieldApplied systems researchAnalyticalComputational skillsQualitativeQuantitative methodsMulti-stakeholder research programsEthnographyCausal modelingSimulation modelingSocial network analysisBehavioral nudgesOpen-science practices

Required

Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Anthropology, Behavioral or Social Science, Implementation Science, or related fields

Demonstrated expertise in applied systems research, including designing and evaluating interventions in complex, real-world environments

Experience integrating qualitative and quantitative methods (ethnography, surveys, administrative data, causal modeling)

Proven ability to conceptualize and measure system-level outcomes (e.g., culture change, burnout reduction, safety climate, equitable access)

Strong analytical and computational skills (e.g., R, Python, simulation modeling, causal inference)

Experience leading multi-stakeholder, cross-functional research programs

Preferred

Experience with social-network and diffusion modeling, behavioral nudges, or implementation science in organizational or public systems

Track record of translating research into practice—for instance, policy or organizational interventions that improved system performance or wellbeing

Expertise in ethical and open-science practices for complex, human-centered research

Publications or projects bridging culture and technology, health and systems, or anthropology and AI

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) eligibility

Paid time off benefits (including vacation, sick time, and parental leave)

Annual cash bonus structure

Company

Toyota Research Institute

Glassdoor4.2

Toyota Research Institute is an R&D enterprise with an initial focus on artificial intelligence and robotics.

Founded in 2016

Palo Alto, California, USA

201-500 employees

http://www.tri.global

H1B Sponsorship

Toyota Research Institute has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (10)

2020 (7)