AI4I · 1 week ago
Call for Founding Heads of R&D Labs
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/ExecutiveAI4I (The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence) is seeking talented and ambitious Heads of R&D Laboratories to lead the next generation of AI research and development in AI-driven industries. The Head of an R&D Lab will design, establish, and lead one of the Institute’s core research laboratories, responsible for defining the R&D plan, attracting world-class talent, and delivering significant scientific and technological breakthroughs.
Research
Hiring Manager
Nina Azadian
Responsibilities
Designing cutting-edge AI Research & Development programs and solutions, meeting milestones, and achieving defined success metrics
Monitoring AI advancements, identifying opportunities for high-impact innovation
Leading a team of AI researchers and engineers to execute advanced research and develop practical software or platforms
Collaborating with marketing and business development teams to promote AI4I, expanding its reach and influence
Attracting external funding from private and public sources to support the growth of your lab, including EU programs and strategic industry partnerships
Managing multiple projects simultaneously, establishing schedules, and resolving bottlenecks to ensure smooth execution
Acting as an interface between the Institute and external partners and users
Overseeing the creation and maintenance of reusable frameworks, libraries, and APIs aligned with industry needs
Qualification
Required
Strong track record in AI research and development, with a deep understanding of methods and architectures
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary R&D programs, from design to implementation
Ability to interact across academic, industrial, and institutional settings
Experience in applying AI in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, human-machine interaction, or software development
Preferred
A PhD in a relevant field
Previous leadership roles in R&D centres
Proven experience as a founder or co-founder of an innovative startup
Experience in European R&D programs or public-private consortia
Ownership of patents or copyrights in AI or related industrial applications
Benefits
A renewable 4-year appointment, with a pathway to a permanent position based on performance (KPIs and Targets).
An internationally competitive compensation package, enhanced by substantial incentive schemes, ensuring outstanding take-home pay considering the combination of cost of living and dedicated tax benefits.
A start-up grant comparable in scale to an ERC Starting Grant, directly managed by the Lab Head.
Tax exemption of up to 90% for eligible researchers relocating to Italy.
Relocation support available for successful candidates.
Company
AI4I
The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Industry AI4I is a newly established Research and Technology Center for applied research and innovation in Artificial Intelligence in manufacturing, automotive and aerospace.
Founded in 2024
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase