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Preply is a unicorn edtech platform (Series D, $150M) transforming language learning at global scale, with 100,000+ tutors teaching 90+ languages to learners in 180+ countries. As Senior Principal Applied AI Scientist, you will lead the development of AI-driven personalized learning solutions and shape Preply's scientific roadmap. Reporting directly to the VP of Data and Applied AI, you will architect state-of-the-art models and systems that enhance experiences for millions of learners worldwide, with high autonomy and strategic influence.
You will drive innovative R&D leveraging deep learning, NLP, information retrieval, LLMs, and multimodal AI to design and deploy scalable machine learning solutions for personalized learning and intelligent tutor systems. You will develop long-term scientific roadmaps aligned with product strategy and business goals, acting as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on technology direction and organizational planning. Cross-functional collaboration is central: you will partner closely with applied science leaders, product managers, and engineering teams to deliver AI solutions addressing user needs and unlocking business opportunities.
You will mentor scientists and engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative science community, and establish best practices in machine learning including architecture design, research roadmaps, and deployment pipelines. The role requires a PhD in NLP, IR, Machine Learning, or related fields (or equivalent), plus 8+ years of industry experience with deep learning-based NLP, LLM continuous pre-training, and IR methods. You need demonstrated expertise in retrieval models, ranking models, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and LLMs for real-world applications, with proficiency in PyTorch and cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud). You should have a proven track record leading scientific roadmaps across multiple product areas, solving real-world problems from research to production, and a passion for driving scientific innovation in personalized learning.
