--- title: 'Machine Learning Researcher - Springtail at Astera Institute' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-researcher-springtail-astera-institute-emeryville-yqaw8r1jskn3' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-15' --- # Machine Learning Researcher - Springtail at Astera Institute - **Company:** Astera Institute - **Location:** Emeryville, CA - **Compensation:** $150k–$300k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-03-29 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera/62476521-abff-42eb-9b23-61d5a5fd0aed/application **Skills:** PyTorch, JAX, CUDA, Triton, Machine Learning, Model Induction, Program Synthesis > The Machine Learning Researcher will develop data-efficient architectures and bootstrapped program synthesis techniques for general model induction. The role involves hypothesizing improvements to model generalization, analyzing runtime inference, and contributing to a well-documented code base within the Neuro-AI t... ## Job description ## About Astera Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress. Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, Astera funds and operates projects like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming [here](https://astera.org/). Position Summary Datasets in many areas, science in particular, are often small, heterogeneous, and expensive. Human scientists can take these datasets and generate models to describe them, but this process of model induction is labor-intensive and error-prone. Machine learning is a general and scalable solution, but it is not uniformly sample efficient. The Astera Institute is seeking a Machine Learning Researcher to help surmount this barrier with new architectures for data-efficient and general model induction. This includes bootstrapped program synthesis, along with components for a system that synthesizes its own learning algorithms - a machine learning strange loop. This is a full time position that reports to Timothy Hanson. ## Responsibilities - Hypothesize, test, and refine means of improving generalization performance of common architectural elements, including different forms of attention. This includes devising controlled datasets to elucidate e.g. learning order & learned representations. - Think both mathematically and empirically about problems of runtime inference in gradient-trained networks, with an eye to the extensive literature on statistical learning and an open mind to the many forms of constrained optimization. - Contribute to a well-documented and well-instrumented code base that is performant where necessary yet expeditious where experimental throughput demands. ## Qualifications and Experience - Masters or equivalent in machine learning, mathematics, or equivalent fields (strong candidates from neuroscience are encouraged to apply). - Fluency with Pytorch, and familiarity with JAX, CUDA, and/or Triton + their open-source ecosystems. - Demonstrated ability do fundamental research. - Demonstrated ability to work in teams. Location This position is hybrid at our office in Emeryville, CA. Some travel may be required from time-to-time for in-person collaboration and work. ## Compensation The posted salary range is based on location in the Bay Area. The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package, commensurate with their experience and location. - [Benefits summary](https://www.notion.so/Astera-Benefits-Summary-Residents-and-Temporary-Staff-30caa1d01f248091ab8be9eaed84f998) ## About Astera Institute ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Astera Institute is a nonprofit organization that funds and conducts high-impact scientific research and engineering projects focused on neuroscience, artificial general intelligence (AGI), and open science to accelerate positive futures for humanity. - **Entity Type**: Private nonprofit (501(c)(3) private foundation) - **Headquarters**: Berkeley, California, United States - **Founded**: 2020 - **Founders**: Jed McCaleb (also co-founder of Stellar Development Foundation and founder of Vast) ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Research services, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, life sciences, grantmaking - **Target customers**: Not applicable (nonprofit; serves the research community and the public through open science and foundational advances) - **Mission / purpose**: Empower visionary, high-leverage science and technology projects with the capacity to create transformative progress for human civilization. Focus on areas like AGI, science, and climate that lack natural homes in the existing innovation ecosystem. ## Products & Services Astera operates three main divisions (not commercial products): - **Neuro & AGI**: Directed neuroscience and AI research effort to understand biological intelligence and engineer safe, successful general intelligence systems. [astera.org](https://astera.org/) - **Radial**: Life sciences research division that funds and runs high-impact fundamental scientific challenges, testing new models for how science is conducted. [astera.org](https://astera.org/) - **Foundation**: Centralized operational, financial support, and ecosystem-building for Neuro-AI, Science, and Strategic Investments. Also leads Residency and Fellowship programs. [astera.org](https://astera.org/) ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit) - **Key Metrics**: - **Total assets** (2023): $2,003,858,714 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/) - **Total expenses** (2023): $27,504,754 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/) - **Investment income and dividends** (2023): $58,598,494 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/) - **Headcount**: 55 employees (+63.4% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Funded primarily by founder Jed McCaleb (grants contributed $131M in 2022). Key leaders include Prachee Avasthi (Head of Open Science), Doris Tsao (Chief Scientist – Neuro), Seemay Chou (CEO – Radial), and Dileep George (Co-Founder, Neuro & AGI). [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/) - **Growth Signals**: - 63.4% employee growth year-over-year (55 people) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) - 23 active job postings (up 1050% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) - LinkedIn followers grew 128.9% yearly [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) - Presence in Netherlands and United Kingdom [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) ## Competitive Advantages - **Unique model**: Nonprofit foundation that internally incubates and directly funds high-risk, high-leverage research across neuroscience, AI, and life sciences — without the pressure of commercial returns. - **Top-tier leadership**: Led by accomplished scientists (e.g., Doris Tsao, Dileep George) and experienced operators from organizations like Stellar, Google, and Arcadia Science. [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/) - **Open science focus**: Strong commitment to open access research and new models for scientific collaboration, attracting talent who value transparency and impact. - **Substantial capital base**: Over $2B in assets provides long-term runway for ambitious, multi-year projects. ## Strategic Focus - Deepen understanding of biological intelligence through large-scale neural circuit analysis and causal manipulation (Neuro & AGI). [astera.org](https://astera.org/) - Continue incubation of radical science projects via Radial, particularly in aging, biotech, and platforms. [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/) - Expand the Residency and Fellowship programs to attract diverse scientific and engineering talent. [astera.org](https://astera.org/) - Scale operations and hiring: current job postings span roles from vivarium operations manager to research scientists in energy-based models and distributed simulation systems. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera) ## Why Work Here - **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to foundational research that could reshape humanity’s future with AGI and novel science. - **Benefits**: Full-time W2 employees receive top-tier medical/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plans, long-term disability plan, health/dependent-care FSAs, and commuter pre-tax accounts. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/) - **Culture**: Described as an equal opportunity employer committed to equity and inclusion, encouraging diverse applicants. Emphasis on open science, experimentation, and high-leverage impact. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/) - **Work setup**: Headquarters in Berkeley, CA; also has staff in the Netherlands and UK. Specific remote/hybrid policy not disclosed but multiple job postings suggest flexible arrangements. - **Team composition**: Highly technical and research-oriented (21 researchers, 10 technical staff, 6 medical). Staff previously from Google, Stanford, UCSF, Arcadia Science, Relay Therapeutics. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) - **Rapid growth**: 63% YoY headcount increase and 1050% growth in job postings signal an expanding organization with ample career opportunities. ## Sources 1. [astera.org](https://astera.org/) – Homepage and division descriptions 2. [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/) – Leadership team details 3. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/) – Benefits and culture 4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) – Company page with headcount, growth, job postings, and talent sources 5. [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/) – Financials (990-PF: revenues, expenses, assets, program areas) 6. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera) – Active open positions list ## Other roles at Astera Institute - [Talent Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/talent-engineer-astera-institute-emeryville-k0aeeh287nwx) — Emeryville, CA - [Open Science Data Steward](https://feeny.ai/job/open-science-data-steward-astera-institute-emeryville-an38zx6jn5yj) — Emeryville, CA - [Open Science Policy and Operations Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/open-science-policy-and-operations-manager-astera-institute-emeryville-e9favr4btbyy) — Emeryville, CA - [Probe Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/probe-engineer-astera-institute-alameda-v8cj3qr564xq) — Alameda, CA - [Scientific Writer, Life Science (Radial)](https://feeny.ai/job/scientific-writer-life-science-radial-astera-institute-emeryville-fs8456g7v3fx) — Emeryville, CA - [Principal AI Scientist (Polytope Bio)](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-ai-scientist-polytope-bio-astera-institute-remote-5wqeq3z45wdk) - [Senior Research Associate or Scientist 1 (Polytope Bio)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-or-scientist-1-polytope-bio-astera-institute-dcpccg9h5c24) — Emeryville, CA - [Research Scientist, Multiregional Electrophysiology of Rodent Cognition](https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-multiregional-electrophysiology-of-rodent-cognition-astera-cqc9p1d3hhvq) — Alameda, CA - [Research Scientist/Engineer, Deep Brain Two Photon Imaging and Optogenetics](https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-engineer-deep-brain-two-photon-imaging-and-optogenetics-67dzysn3hyam) — Alameda, CA - [Lead Scientist, Primate Whole-Brain Mapping & Atlas Development](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-scientist-primate-whole-brain-mapping-atlas-development-astera-institute-cxkjfnk72fvb) — Alameda, CA