STEM OPT AI Research Scientist Jobs
AI Research Scientist roles in machine learning, NLP, and computer vision qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must align with a qualifying STEM CIP code to be eligible.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This role sits within Meta's Reality Labs Research, in the Material and Systems Innovation team, which develops advanced materials for two of Meta's most ambitious hardware frontiers: lightweight, all-day wearable AR glasses and next-generation sensing and actuating materials for robotics. The AI Specialist will design and build LLM-orchestrated multi-agent systems that autonomously drive materials discovery pipelines — from computational screening and simulation through synthesis and characterization — across both domains. By closing this loop with agentic AI, we aim to compress discovery timelines from years to weeks, directly accelerating Meta's ability to ship breakthrough AR/VR and robotics hardware. This position bridges two of Meta's highest-priority investment areas — frontier AI and the physical systems underpinning the metaverse and embodied intelligence — and will contribute both production systems and published research at top-tier venues.
AI Research Scientist — Agentic AI for Materials Discovery Responsibilities:
- Design, implement, and optimize LLM-orchestrated multi-agent systems for autonomous materials discovery pipelines
- Build specialized AI sub-agents that operate within a closed-loop discovery framework
- Integrate agentic AI workflows with computational chemistry tools (DFT, MD, Monte Carlo) and HPC infrastructure
- Develop and fine-tune retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems over scientific literature corpora for real-time knowledge synthesis
- Collaborate with materials scientists, computational chemists, and ML researchers to translate domain workflows into autonomous agent architectures
- Evaluate and benchmark agent performance on materials discovery tasks — measuring accuracy, throughput, and synthetic viability of generated candidates
- Contribute to open-source tooling and publish research at top-tier venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, or domain journals)
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- PhD in AI, Computer Science, Computational Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field
- 2+ years of experience with large language models, prompt engineering, or agentic AI frameworks (e.g., React, tool-use agents, multi-agent orchestration)
- Demonstrated programming skills in Python and experience with ML frameworks (PyTorch, JAX, or similar)
- Demonstrated experience in building end-to-end AI systems that integrate external tools and APIs
- Familiarity with at least one domain: computational chemistry, molecular simulation, or materials informatics
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience building multi-agent or LLM-orchestrated systems for scientific applications
- Familiarity with atomistic simulation tools (VASP, Gaussian, LAMMPS, ASE) or cheminformatics libraries
- Publications at peer-reviewed ML or domain conferences
- Experience with retrieval-augmented generation, knowledge graphs, or scientific literature mining
- Understanding of crystal structure prediction, molecular dynamics, or quantum chemistry workflows
- Experience with HPC job orchestration
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
This role sits within Meta's Reality Labs Research, in the Material and Systems Innovation team, which develops advanced materials for two of Meta's most ambitious hardware frontiers: lightweight, all-day wearable AR glasses and next-generation sensing and actuating materials for robotics. The AI Specialist will design and build LLM-orchestrated multi-agent systems that autonomously drive materials discovery pipelines — from computational screening and simulation through synthesis and characterization — across both domains. By closing this loop with agentic AI, we aim to compress discovery timelines from years to weeks, directly accelerating Meta's ability to ship breakthrough AR/VR and robotics hardware. This position bridges two of Meta's highest-priority investment areas — frontier AI and the physical systems underpinning the metaverse and embodied intelligence — and will contribute both production systems and published research at top-tier venues.
AI Research Scientist — Agentic AI for Materials Discovery Responsibilities:
- Design, implement, and optimize LLM-orchestrated multi-agent systems for autonomous materials discovery pipelines
- Build specialized AI sub-agents that operate within a closed-loop discovery framework
- Integrate agentic AI workflows with computational chemistry tools (DFT, MD, Monte Carlo) and HPC infrastructure
- Develop and fine-tune retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems over scientific literature corpora for real-time knowledge synthesis
- Collaborate with materials scientists, computational chemists, and ML researchers to translate domain workflows into autonomous agent architectures
- Evaluate and benchmark agent performance on materials discovery tasks — measuring accuracy, throughput, and synthetic viability of generated candidates
- Contribute to open-source tooling and publish research at top-tier venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, or domain journals)
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- PhD in AI, Computer Science, Computational Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field
- 2+ years of experience with large language models, prompt engineering, or agentic AI frameworks (e.g., React, tool-use agents, multi-agent orchestration)
- Demonstrated programming skills in Python and experience with ML frameworks (PyTorch, JAX, or similar)
- Demonstrated experience in building end-to-end AI systems that integrate external tools and APIs
- Familiarity with at least one domain: computational chemistry, molecular simulation, or materials informatics
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience building multi-agent or LLM-orchestrated systems for scientific applications
- Familiarity with atomistic simulation tools (VASP, Gaussian, LAMMPS, ASE) or cheminformatics libraries
- Publications at peer-reviewed ML or domain conferences
- Experience with retrieval-augmented generation, knowledge graphs, or scientific literature mining
- Understanding of crystal structure prediction, molecular dynamics, or quantum chemistry workflows
- Experience with HPC job orchestration
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an AI Research Scientist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list. Computer Science, Statistics, and Applied Mathematics codes are common matches for AI Research Scientist roles, but Data Science program codes vary by institution.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Ask your recruiter to confirm enrollment status directly, or check the E-Verify employer search tool before signing. A company that's unenrolled cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT.
Target research labs with established I-983 processes
Many startups hiring AI researchers have never filed an I-983 training plan. Prioritize employers whose HR teams can describe their STEM OPT mentorship and reporting obligations, since gaps in the training plan are a common reason DSOs delay recommending the extension.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
AI Research Scientist roles fall under SOC code 15-2051 or 15-1221 depending on specialization. Run your offer through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm it meets the prevailing wage level for your metro area, which affects both your STEM OPT standing and any future H-1B LCA.
Use Migrate Mate to find E-Verify-enrolled employers
Search AI Research Scientist roles on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers with verified sponsorship history so you're not cold-applying to companies that have never hired on OPT. Shortlist roles before contacting recruiters to avoid wasting application cycles on ineligible employers.
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Find AI Research Scientist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the 24-month STEM OPT extension as an AI Research Scientist?
Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the DHS STEM designated degree list. Degrees in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics typically qualify. Degrees in fields like Communications or Business Analytics may not, depending on the CIP code your institution assigned. Confirm with your DSO before applying for the extension, since the degree on file with SEVIS must match, not just the coursework you completed.
What is the I-983 training plan and what does it require for AI Research Scientist roles?
The I-983 is the STEM OPT training plan your employer signs to document how your AI Research Scientist role provides practical training related to your STEM degree. It must describe learning objectives, supervision structure, and how the work connects to your field of study. Your employer submits a self-evaluation every six months and a final evaluation at the end. Your DSO must receive and approve the I-983 before recommending your STEM OPT extension to USCIS.
How do I confirm that a company hiring AI Research Scientists is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify, and request the company's E-Verify Client ID if you want to verify independently. E-Verify enrollment is a hard legal requirement for STEM OPT employers, not optional. If an offer comes through a staffing agency, the agency and the end client both need to evaluate their respective obligations, so clarify which entity will be your legal employer before accepting.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my H-1B petition is selected in the lottery?
If your H-1B petition is filed before your STEM OPT EAD expires and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your F-1 status and employment authorization through September 30 of that year. If your STEM OPT EAD is still valid on October 1, your H-1B status begins that day without any gap in work authorization. Your employer must continue E-Verify compliance and your I-983 obligations remain in effect until the H-1B activates.
Where can I find AI Research Scientist jobs at employers who hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists AI Research Scientist roles at employers with confirmed sponsorship and E-Verify enrollment history, so you can focus your applications on companies that have actually hired F-1 students before. Filtering by STEM OPT compatibility early in your search saves significant time compared to discovering employer ineligibility late in the interview process. Your DSO can also connect you with alumni in AI research roles who navigated the same employer vetting process.
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