Wikimedia Foundation · 22 hours ago
Principal Research Scientist
United States
Full-time
Remote
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$165K/yr - $251K/yr
5+ years expWikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, advocating for free knowledge sharing. They are seeking a Principal Research Scientist to lead strategic research on knowledge integrity, mentor contributors, and translate complex research into actionable strategies for various teams within the organization.
Computer Software
Responsibilities
Maintaining a fluent and real-time command of the global research landscape to inform the conversations on Wikipedia quality and integrity
Leading a strategic research portfolio on knowledge integrity
Mentoring individual contributors to execute high-impact scientific projects
Translating complex research findings into actionable strategy and recommendations for the Head of Research, Legal, and Communications teams
Delivering rapid, authoritative technical vetting of external research to identify organizational risks and scientific opportunities under tight deadlines
Driving research advocacy and public engagement in knowledge integrity research. domain, representing the Foundation’s scientific perspective to global stakeholders and the public
Cultivating strategic relationships within the scientific community and standards organizations, translating Wikimedia research findings into industry-wide best practices
Qualification
Required
A track record of scholarly publications and service to the research and scientific communities including but not limited to human-computer interaction and computational social science communities
3 or more years of strategic technical leadership in large matrixed organizations or their equivalent in academia, with a proven ability to counsel senior leadership
Ability to distill scientific nuance into high-impact, actionable clarity for non-technical stakeholders
Ability to manage a complex portfolio and mentor contributors while pivoting between high-level strategy and technical details
Advanced proficiency in AI, NLP or ML frameworks, with experience auditing algorithms for bias and accuracy OR mastery of mixed-method research specifically applied to online community governance and human system interaction
Proven ability to perform high velocity audits of research to identify methodological flaws, Movement and organizational opportunities and risks, and insights
PhD degree and a minimum of five years of work experience in a related field
Preferred
Recognized service or leadership roles within major scientific bodies
Experience collaborating with the public in citizen science or volunteer-driven movements
Experience starting a research lab, product, or initiative in a related field
Experience working in NGO, non-profit, or social good oriented organizations
Experience contributing to Wikimedia projects through research or other skills
Fluency in languages beyond English
Experience working with Legal and Communication teams on topics of organizational importance
Company
Wikimedia Foundation
Wikimedia Foundation encourages the development and distribution of free educational content with projects such as Wikipedia.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Wikimedia Foundation 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 (1)
2024 (4)
2023 (5)
2022 (3)
2021 (1)
2020 (5)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$158.98MKey Investors
Alfred P. Sloan FoundationCraig Newmark PhilanthropiesGoogle.org
2020-01-01Grant· $2.1M
2019-09-10Grant· $2.5M
2019-01-22Grant· $1.1M
Leadership Team
Denny Vrandečić
Head of Special Projects
Genoveva Galarza
Staff Software Engineer
Recent News
2026-01-19
2026-01-17
2026-01-17
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