OPT AI Researcher Jobs
AI Researcher roles qualify for OPT under computer science, data science, and related STEM degrees, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12 months. Most employers filing H-1B visa sponsorship for this role do so through the annual lottery, so starting your job search early matters.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a Research Science Lead to spearhead our initiatives in Social Intelligence within complex multi-agent ecosystems. In this pivotal leadership role, you will bridge the gap between centrally orchestrated multi-agent systems and social reasoning paradigms within cognitive science. You will direct a portfolio of research focused on enabling autonomous agents to navigate the "coordination bottleneck" through the development of Theory of Mind (ToM), intent modeling, and emergent social behaviors such as cooperation, coordination, negotiation, persuasion, etc. By synthesizing principles from reinforcement learning, game theory and behavioral science, you will lead an experienced team to make agents capable of sophisticated alignment, ensuring that agents can operate seamlessly—and ethically—within the intricate social fabric of human-centric environments.
AI Research Scientist - FAIR Social Intelligence Responsibilities:
- Perform research to advance the state of the art in our multi-agent ecosystem
- Work with researchers and engineers in a highly collaborative environment to achieve goals and milestones
- Influence the future of research in frontier modeling with detailed technical reports
- Work towards long-term goals, while identifying intermediate milestones
- Influence progress of relevant research communities by producing publications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- A PhD in AI, computer science, data science, science/engineering, or related technical fields
- First-authored or last-authored publications at peer-reviewed conferences, such as ICML, NeurIPS, ICLR, and other similar venues
- 2+ years experience holding an industry, postdoctoral, faculty, or government researcher position
- Research background in machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational statistics, or applied mathematics
- Experience in developing and debugging in Python or similar programming languages
Preferred Qualifications:
- Research and engineering experience demonstrated via publications, grants, fellowships, patents, open source code
- Experience collaborating in a team environment on research projects
- Experience in applying AI systems to solve science and engineering problems
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
COMPENSATION
- $184,000/year to $257,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a Research Science Lead to spearhead our initiatives in Social Intelligence within complex multi-agent ecosystems. In this pivotal leadership role, you will bridge the gap between centrally orchestrated multi-agent systems and social reasoning paradigms within cognitive science. You will direct a portfolio of research focused on enabling autonomous agents to navigate the "coordination bottleneck" through the development of Theory of Mind (ToM), intent modeling, and emergent social behaviors such as cooperation, coordination, negotiation, persuasion, etc. By synthesizing principles from reinforcement learning, game theory and behavioral science, you will lead an experienced team to make agents capable of sophisticated alignment, ensuring that agents can operate seamlessly—and ethically—within the intricate social fabric of human-centric environments.
AI Research Scientist - FAIR Social Intelligence Responsibilities:
- Perform research to advance the state of the art in our multi-agent ecosystem
- Work with researchers and engineers in a highly collaborative environment to achieve goals and milestones
- Influence the future of research in frontier modeling with detailed technical reports
- Work towards long-term goals, while identifying intermediate milestones
- Influence progress of relevant research communities by producing publications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- A PhD in AI, computer science, data science, science/engineering, or related technical fields
- First-authored or last-authored publications at peer-reviewed conferences, such as ICML, NeurIPS, ICLR, and other similar venues
- 2+ years experience holding an industry, postdoctoral, faculty, or government researcher position
- Research background in machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational statistics, or applied mathematics
- Experience in developing and debugging in Python or similar programming languages
Preferred Qualifications:
- Research and engineering experience demonstrated via publications, grants, fellowships, patents, open source code
- Experience collaborating in a team environment on research projects
- Experience in applying AI systems to solve science and engineering problems
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
COMPENSATION
- $184,000/year to $257,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
See all 452+ OPT AI Researcher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in AI Researcher
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program has an approved STEM CIP code before applying. AI Researcher roles typically qualify under computer science or electrical engineering, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization to find long-term sponsorship.
Prioritize H-1B cap-exempt employers
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated labs are exempt from the H-1B visa annual lottery. AI Researcher roles at these organizations offer a more reliable path to visa sponsorship without depending on a roughly 20 percent selection rate.
Document your research contributions clearly
USCIS requires H-1B specialty occupation evidence. Keep a running list of published papers, patents, conference presentations, and technical reports. Strong documentation of original research significantly strengthens your employer's sponsorship petition for an AI Researcher position.
Apply well before your OPT start date
AI Researcher hiring cycles at research labs and tech companies often run three to six months. Starting your search at least six months before your OPT expires gives employers enough time to onboard you and initiate H-1B sponsorship before your authorization lapses.
Distinguish applied AI from fundamental research on your resume
Employers and immigration attorneys need to classify your role accurately for visa purposes. Clearly separate research contributions from engineering work. Pure research roles carry stronger specialty occupation arguments, which can make H-1B or O-1A sponsorship considerably more straightforward.
Explore the O-1A visa as an alternative
AI Researchers with published papers, peer review experience, or recognized awards may qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa. Unlike H-1B, there is no lottery and no annual cap, making it a viable path if your research profile is sufficiently strong.
AI Researcher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do AI Researcher jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, AI Researcher roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree program has an approved STEM CIP code in fields like computer science, electrical engineering, or data science. This extends your total OPT authorization to 36 months. You must work for an E-Verify enrolled employer and file Form I-983 training plans with your DSO to maintain STEM OPT status.
How do I find AI Researcher employers that sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-eligible and visa-sponsoring employers, so you can search AI Researcher roles without guessing which companies will support your authorization. Research labs at major technology companies, national laboratories, and university AI institutes are historically strong H-1B sponsors for this role. Checking Department of Labor LCA disclosure data for your target employer's past filings also confirms sponsorship history.
Does an AI Researcher role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
AI Researcher positions generally meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard because they normally require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field like computer science or machine learning. Roles involving original research, model development, or novel algorithm design carry particularly strong arguments. Your employer's immigration attorney will document how the position's duties require this level of specialized knowledge, so maintaining clear records of your research contributions matters.
Can I work as a self-employed AI Researcher on OPT?
Self-employment on OPT is permitted under certain conditions, but it's complex. You must demonstrate a legitimate employer-employee relationship or show that you are actively working in your field through an incorporated entity. For STEM OPT, self-employment is not allowed since the extension requires an E-Verify enrolled employer and a formal training plan. Consulting your DSO before pursuing self-employment is strongly recommended.
What happens to my OPT if my AI Researcher position is eliminated during a layoff?
If you lose your AI Researcher position while on OPT, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you must find new employment, transfer to a different immigration status, or depart the United States. For STEM OPT, the same 60-day window applies. Unemployment cannot exceed 90 days on standard OPT or 150 days total across standard and STEM OPT combined. Notifying your DSO immediately after job loss is required to stay in compliance.