Head of AI Research at Leonardo AI

Join the Revolution at Leonardo.Ai!

Leonardo.Ai is an Australian tech startup. Our mission is to unleash the world's creativity with its groundbreaking AI-powered platform. Almost 2 years after our software launched, we've quickly grown to over 20 million users worldwide.

The Role

We’re excited to be hiring for a Head of AI Research to join our team. You’ll drive the development of market-leading generative AI research and foster a collaborative environment where your team thrives. You’ll sit on our Senior Leadership Team and work across departments to apply the team’s work into our product, champion ethical practices, and enhance user experiences.

Our team is training and designing large models for intelligence in visual domains, working with and interpreting petabyte-scale data, building and optimising efficient systems for model research, and/or applying AI techniques to create novel user experiences. 

Building our first foundational model Phoenix earlier this year was just the beginning of what’s possible with our team and product. We’re looking for someone who is excited about the opportunity to drive the next level of innovation within generative AI forward here at Leonardo. 

Role Responsibilities:

• Oversee all research activities related to multimodal intelligence through intuitive interfaces such as video, imagery, 3D data types, text and beyond.

• Ensure our roadmap of research projects is well-organised, deadlines are met, and resources are allocated efficiently.

• Lead and mentor a large team of AI Researchers across applied science, data operations and aesthetics, supporting their growth and performance.

• Work closely with our leaders (including JJ, our CEO) to understand company priorities and translate them into actionable research plans, steering the team’s focus accordingly.

• Encourage the team to challenge existing methodologies and think outside the box.

• Work closely with team members to engage in thoughtful discussions to push the boundaries of our research.

• Translate complex research outcomes into understandable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

• Collaborate with product management, software engineering, design, marketing, and sales to seamlessly integrate AI solutions into our product.

• Keep up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in generative AI and image generation to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the team.

Skills We Seek:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field, with expertise in generative AI and image generation technologies.

• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.

• Strong technical acumen, comfortable engaging in discussions with experts across disciplines.

• Exceptional communication skills, capable of simplifying complex ideas for diverse audiences.

• Excellent listening skills, building rapport and collaborating with multiple stakeholders.

• Analytical and strategic thinker, adept at solving challenges and driving impactful outcomes.

• Adaptable in fast-paced environments, ready to pivot and manage shifting priorities.

• Self-starter with a process-improvement mindset, always seeking better ways to work.

• Advocate for ethical AI practices, ensuring responsible and thoughtful implementation.

Our Culture:

• Inclusive Culture: We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. At Leonardo AI, your unique perspectives and experiences are welcomed and essential to our success.

• Flexible Work Environment: We understand the importance of work-life balance. Enjoy the flexibility to work remotely or from our vibrant offices. We have employees all over Australia, ensuring you can thrive personally and professionally.

• Empowering Growth: Your development is our priority. We offer continuous learning opportunities and career growth tailored to your goals. At Leonardo AI, you’ll be encouraged to grow and excel.

• Impactful Work: Join us in shaping the future of AI. You'll work on innovative projects that have a meaningful impact, and your contributions will help drive advancements in AI creativity.

What's in it for you?

A range of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work. Here's a taste of what's on offer:

• Impact the future of AI

• Reward package including equity - we want our success to be yours too

• Inclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents & carers with 18 weeks paid leave

• An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support your wellbeing, social connection, office setup & more

• Flexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and supports you personally, including remote working abroad

• Support with your professional development

• Fun and engaging company events, both virtual and in-person

Next Steps:

Ready to dive into AI and do the best work of your career so far? Apply now and join us at Leonardo.Ai to make a significant impact!

• Shape the Future of AI: Join us in revolutionising content creation and build a platform at the forefront of generative AI, in an award winning culture.

• Hybrid and Remote Options: Flexibility is key. Choose a work arrangement that suits your lifestyle and allows you to do your best work. Our hybrid team members meet in the Sydney office 1-2 times per week, with free lunch on Fridays.

• Benefits: We offer a generous package including paid parental leave, a generous home office and wellness budget, and remote working from abroad.

• Diversity and Inclusion: We intentionally seek people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. We wholeheartedly believe in creating an inclusive environment where every voice we hear contributes to our success.

While we love technology, rest assured that our interview process is all human. A Talent team member will review your application, and we'll contact you either way to let you know the outcome. Here's what you can expect.

Round 1 - Meet Your Recruiter:

• Our Talent team will reach out and arrange a 30-minute video call where you'll cover your experience, skills, and career motivations. You'll also get essential context about the role, the team, and how you can contribute towards our goals.

Round 2 - Craft Interview:

• You'll meet some team members to discuss the technical task in more depth, work through some technical questions related to your expertise and cover past projects, experience and career aspirations.

Round 3 - Technical Task:

• If you're applying for a technical role, you may be given a short take-home task to assess your skills and approach to problem-solving. This could be a real-life business scenario to unpack, a presentation, a test or a collaboration exercise. (Please note, depending on the role, the order of rounds 2 & 3 are interchangeable)

Round 4 - Values interview:

• You'll be able to meet with the Department Head for a short, informal conversation to understand your potential impact, the growth area we can support, and how aligned you are with our values and culture.

If there are any adjustments we can make that would make you more comfortable at any point in the interview process, please don't hesitate to let us know.