Research Scientist (Ai Ethics) – Generative Ai

Sony AI America, a branch of Sony AI, is a remotely distributed organization spread across the U.S. and Canada. Sony AI is Sony’s new research organization pursuing the mission to use AI to unleash human creativity. Sony AI works closely with Sony’s other business units, including Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC., Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., and Sony Music Entertainment. With some 900 million Sony devices in hands and homes worldwide today, a vast array of Sony movies, television shows and music, and the PlayStation Network, Sony creates and delivers more entertainment experiences to more people than anyone else on earth. To learn more: https://ai.sony/

Position Summary

Sony AI America (SAIA) is seeking highly motivated, self-driven individuals with expertise at the intersection of AI Ethics - specifically Fairness, Transparency, and Accountability (FTA) – and Generative AI / Large Foundation Models. We are currently looking for smart, enthusiastic people who want to join our team of world-renowned researchers as we push the boundaries of applying AI in support of human creativity. In this role, the successful candidate will research, develop and deploy fair, transparent, and accountable technology for NLP and other business areas. Sony AI America is a remote-work organization – location is flexible.

Job Responsibilities

Lead research projects at the intersection of AI ethics (especially around Fairness, Transparency, and Accountability) and Generative AI.

• Work closely with a team of AI researchers and programmers in the U.S., Switzerland, and Japan on ambitious AI projects.
• Investigate new algorithms to solve fundamental AI ethics problems.
• Write code to support research, usually in Python, C++, and/or R.
• Work closely with product and compliance teams to address AI ethics issues across Sony's diverse businesses.
• Write reports and give presentations for internal audiences.
• Write papers for and give presentations at academic conferences.

Qualifications For Position

Your qualifications and experience should include: 

• Seniority will depend on number of years of work experience after PhD (or equivalent experience).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, including the ability to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Passion to develop cutting-edge Generative AI ethics technology and deploy it through a multi-stakeholder approach.
• Experience working with different AI / AI ethics stakeholders, such as users and product, engineering, legal, and compliance business units.
• A track record of implementing software systems.
• PhD or equivalent experience with a track record of relevant academic publications, patents, and/or open-source software related to Generative AI. Candidate must have interest in AI Ethics with academic publications in the space preferred, particularly in the areas of algorithmic fairness, accountability, and transparency. Interdisciplinary researchers are highly encouraged to apply.

In addition to competitive pay and benefits, we offer an environment and culture that promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for you to thrive as part of Sony’s purpose to “fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology”.

Benefits:   

 

SCA offers benefits-eligible employees (generally regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week) a comprehensive benefits program that offers coverage and support for employees and their family’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being.  

 What we offer you:

• Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees as well as supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/domestic partners and children 
• Paid parental and caregiver leave  
• Education assistance and student loan programs   
• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage with coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits
• 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match which vests immediately
• Fertility benefits, including surrogacy, and adoption assistance programs  
• Short-term & long-term disability plans  
• Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance 

 

Other Programs: 

• A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs)  
• Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees
• Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year’s Day (based on business needs)
• Annual incentive bonus
• Matching gift program  
• Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility)  
• Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for your Sony stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions)  

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $120,000 to $160,000. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, military status, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or family status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Corporation of America Sony Corporation of America provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by mail to: Sony Corporation of America, Human Resources Department, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Please indicate the position you are applying for.

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While SCA does not require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, there are certain Sony offices that require employees to be vaccinated in order to enter. If you will be located at or travel to those offices, you will be required to be fully vaccinated to enter. The Company will consider requests for reasonable accommodations for documented medical reasons and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. Please do not include proof of vaccination status or any indication of a possible request for a vaccination accommodation when submitting your application materials. If applicable, the Company will follow up with you directly to request proof of vaccination and to discuss any potential accommodations.