Head of Applied Research

The Company is seeking a Head of Applied Research to take on a pivotal role in the organization. This is a founding position, with the primary responsibility of building the applied research function from the ground up. The successful candidate will be tasked with hiring and managing a team of senior applied researchers, and will be the key figure in owning the firm's evaluation discipline, customer-facing model improvement loop, and the relationship with data partners. The role is highly strategic, as the Head of Applied Research will be the bridge between research and product, setting the research agenda, and making critical decisions about what is delivered to customers. Applicants for the Head of Applied Research role at the company should have a background as an applied research lead in an AI-native SaaS, a frontier lab applied team, or a research-heavy fintech with a strong focus on model deployment. The ideal candidate will have a strong product instinct, be comfortable with the regulatory complexity of a vertical professional domain, and have a proven track record in a similar, senior research position. The role requires a deep understanding of the intersection between research and product, and the ability to work closely with the compliance function on model governance. The Head of Applied Research will be instrumental in shaping the future of the company's product, and must be prepared to take on a leadership role in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.