Applied Scientist - Senior / Principal

PhysicsX is starting a research team in Singapore to build physical foundation models alongside our customers and partners, targeting engineering domains where this capability will be most transformative.

What you will do 

• Work closely with our machine learning engineers, simulation engineers, customers and partners to translate physics and engineering challenges into mathematical problem formulations.
• Build models to predict the behaviour of physical systems using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques that scale to large datasets, iterating through robust experimentation.
• Chart a path through competing trade-offs with insufficient information, e.g. is it better to train a bigger model or to generate more data?
• Own Research work-streams at different levels, depending on seniority.
• Discuss the results and implications of your work with colleagues and customers, connecting with real-world problems.
• Communicate your work to others internally and externally as called for in paper publication venues, industry workshops, customer conversations, etc.
• Foster curiosity and initiative among your colleagues and mentees.

What you bring to the table

• Enthusiasm about using machine learning, especially deep learning and/or probabilistic methods, for science and engineering.
• Ability to scope and effectively deliver projects.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyse issues, identify causes, and recommend solutions quickly.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills — with teams and customers alike.
• PhD in computer science, machine learning, applied statistics, mathematics, physics, engineering, or a related field, with particular expertise in any of the following:
  1. operator learning (neural operators), or other probabilistic methods for PDEs;
  2. geometric deep learning or other 3D computer vision methods for point-cloud or mesh-structured data;
  3. generative models for geometry and spatiotemporal data (VAEs, Diffusion Models, Bayesian non-parametric, scaling to large datasets, etc.).
• Ideally, >2 years of experience in a data-driven role, with exposure to:
  • building machine learning models and pipelines in Python, using common libraries and frameworks (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, PyTorch, JAX), especially including deep learning applications;
  • developing models for bespoke problem settings that involve high-dimensional data (spatiotemporal, geometric, physical);
  • iterating on network architectures and model structure, tuning and optimising for inductive biases, improved generalisability, and improved performance;
  • combining theoretical reasoning with empirical intuition to guide investigation;
  • formulating and running experiment pipelines to benchmark models and produce comparable results;
  • writing skills for communicating complex technical concepts to peers and non-peers, tailoring the message for the required audience.
• Publication record in reputable venues that demonstrates mastery in your field, and in particular the domains of interest listed above. Desirable venues include (but not limited to): NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, UAI, AISTATS, AAAI, Siggraph, CVPR, TPAMI/JMLR, Nature and Science.

What we offer

Build what actually matters

Help shape an AI-native engineering company at a formative stage, tackling problems that genuinely matter for industry and society. This is work with real-world impact - and something you can be proud to stand behind.

Learn alongside exceptional people

Work with a high-caliber, collaborative team of engineers, scientists, and operators who care deeply about doing great work, and about helping each other get better. We come from diverse backgrounds, but we share a commitment to operating at the highest level and addressing some of the most complex challenges out there. If you’re ambitious, thoughtful, and driven by impact, you’ll feel at home.

Influence over hierarchy

We operate with a flat structure: good ideas win - wherever they come from. Questioning assumptions and challenging the status quo isn’t just welcomed, it’s expected.

Sustainable pace, long-term ambition

Building meaningful technology is a marathon, not a sprint. We believe in balancing focused, ambitious work with a life beyond it. Our hybrid model blends time together in our Shoreditch office with work-from-home days, giving you the flexibility to work sustainably while staying connected in person.

And it doesn’t stop there …

🚀 Equity options - share meaningfully in the company you’re helping to build.

🏦 10% employer pension contribution - because investing in future matters.

🍽️ Free office lunches - to keep you energised and focused.

👶 Enhanced parental leave - 3 months full pay paternity and 6 months full pay maternity leave, to provide extra flexibility during the moments that matter most.

🍼 YellowNest nursery scheme - to help working parents manage childcare costs.

☀️ 25 days of Annual Leave (+ Public Holidays) - because taking time to rest matters.

🏥 Private medical insurance - 100% employee cover, giving you complete peace of mind.

💪 Wellhub Subscription - gain access to thousands of gyms, classes and wellness apps, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.

👀 Eye tests - because good work depends on good health.

📈 Personal development - dedicated support for learning, development, and leveling up over time.

💛 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - confidential wellbeing support, available whenever you need it.

🚲 Bike2Work scheme and 🚆 Season ticket loan - to make getting to work easier and greener.

🚗 Octopus EV salary sacrifice - for a simpler, more sustainable way to drive electric.

🔎 Watch this space, we’re continuing to build this as we grow…