---
title: 'Research Engineer - NLP at Institute of Foundation Models'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-engineer-nlp-institute-of-foundation-models-abu-dhabi-0j0mz3me5290'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-26'
---

# Research Engineer - NLP at Institute of Foundation Models

- **Company:** Institute of Foundation Models
- **Location:** Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-07-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-26
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/ifm-us/1b258c12-5942-4487-9c92-fd4d18e40c6a

## Job description

## About the Institute of Foundation Models

We are a dedicated research lab for building, understanding, using, and risk-managing foundation models. Our mandate is to advance research, nurture the next generation of AI builders, and drive transformative contributions to a knowledge-driven economy.

As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to work on the core of cutting-edge foundation model training, alongside world-class researchers, data scientists, and engineers, tackling the most fundamental and impactful challenges in AI development. You will participate in the development of groundbreaking AI solutions that have the potential to reshape entire industries. Strategic and innovative problem-solving skills will be instrumental in establishing MBZUAI as a global hub for high-performance computing in deep learning, driving impactful discoveries that inspire the next generation of AI pioneers.

## The Role

As a Research Scientist specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP) with a focus on large language models and deep learning, your role will be crucial in advancing cutting-edge language processing technologies and contributing to the development of intelligent systems. You will be responsible for a wide range of tasks encompassing research, development, and implementation of NLP solutions, with a particular emphasis on Python coding, machine learning techniques, and deep learning methodologies.

## Key Responsibilities

- Lead the research of technology for improving the efficiency of Large Language Model (LLM) while performing target capabilities or supporting many capabilities, such as novel architectures and improved pre-training.
- Design and implement NLP algorithms for model training and prediction, leverage ML infrastructure, and contribute to model optimization and data processing, using Pytorch or other frameworks.
- Integrate and improve LLM algorithms to work with other models such as computer vision models
- Identify defined problems/gaps in existing technology and engage other Research teams, stakeholders and leaders to expand efficient LLM technology.
- Collaborate with peers and stakeholders through design and code reviews to ensure best practices amongst available technologies.
- Write up results in design documents, technical reports, and papers for publication.
- Represent MBZUAI at industry conferences and events, showcasing the institution’s cutting-edge HPC and deep learning capabilities and establishing MBZUAI as a global leader in AI research and innovation.
- Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.

Academic Qualifications

- Minimum: Master’s in Computer Science, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- Preferred: PhD or equivalent research experience in Natural Language Processing

Professional Experience - Minimum

- Experience with state-of-the-art Gen AI techniques and models (e.g., LLMs, Multi-Modal, Large Vision Models) or with Gen AI-related concepts (e.g., language modeling, computer vision).
- Experience with software development in one or more programming languages (e.g. Python, C++), and with data structures/algorithms.
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills to address complex technical challenges.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with cross functional teams.
- Ability to effectively navigate ambiguity.

Professional Experience - Preferred

- Experience leading research efforts and influencing other researchers.
- Experience with efficiency, modularity or related topics for LLMs.
- Experience with ML infrastructure (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, optimization, data processing, debugging).
- Experience with design and optimization of algorithms in performance constrained environments (e.g., mobile).
- Experience in innovative research, contributing to research communities including publishing in forums (e.g., ACL, EMNLP, NAACL, EACL, COLING, ICLR, AAAI, NeurIPS).

## About Institute of Foundation Models

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) is a global AI research lab dedicated to the open and independent development of frontier-class foundation models, operating under the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
- **Entity Type**: Academic Research Institute (part of MBZUAI, a university)
- **Headquarters**: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (with labs in Sunnyvale, CA, USA and Paris, France)
- **Founded**: 2026 (launched with Silicon Valley lab)
- **Founders**: Part of MBZUAI, led by President Eric Xing

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Artificial Intelligence research, foundation model development, open-source AI
- **Target customers**: Researchers, academia, industry partners, and the global AI community (B2B/Research/Public sector)
- **Mission**: To produce the world’s leading models across modalities while ensuring responsible, open, and socially meaningful impact.

## Products & Services
For each major offering:
- **JAIS Series**: State-of-the-art open-source Arabic LLM covering Modern Standard Arabic and regional dialects, including Moroccan Arabic (Darija). Fully documented training lifecycle.
- **Vicuna**: Lightweight open chatbot surpassing 90% of ChatGPT and Bard quality.
- **K2 (K2-65B)**: Large language model with advanced reasoning capabilities, focusing on sustainable performance. Updated version soon to be released.
- **PAN World Model**: Next-gen foundation model for embodied reasoning and physical-world simulation, integrating multimodal inputs (language, video, spatial data, physical actions). Includes PAN-Agent for multimodal reasoning tasks.
- **FM For Bio – GET**: Domain-specific model for biology.
- **LLM360**: Open-source framework enhancing transparency and collaboration in LLM research, providing training code, datasets, and model checkpoints.
- **Research partnerships**: Collaboration with academia, startups, and enterprises via shared compute, co-publishing, and co-development.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (non-commercial research institute)
- **Key Metric**: Funded by MBZUAI; specific budget not publicly disclosed. Notable open-source model releases (JAIS, Vicuna, K2, PAN).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: MBZUAI, with international advisory boards and peer review processes. Partnerships with industry leaders, academic institutions, and public organizations.
- **Growth Signals**: Launch of Silicon Valley lab in Sunnyvale, CA (2026); expansion into Paris and Abu Dhabi nodes; active hiring for research interns, distributed ML engineers, HPC engineers; release of flagship models (PAN, K2 update).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Openness & transparency**: Full release of training code, datasets, and model checkpoints through LLM360 – one of the most transparent approaches in AI.
- **Global research network**: Three hubs (Abu Dhabi, Silicon Valley, Paris) combining academic rigor with startup agility.
- **Access to large-scale compute**: High-performance computing infrastructure for training frontier models.
- **Multilingual & cultural focus**: JAIS addresses underrepresentation of Arabic and other languages, preserving cultural authenticity.
- **World model innovation**: PAN differentiates from text-only models by predicting comprehensive world states for advanced reasoning and simulation.

## Strategic Focus
- Continue building open, powerful foundation models across language, vision, multimodal, and domain-specific systems.
- Expand global collaboration and talent acquisition, especially in Silicon Valley.
- Advance responsible AI with safety systems and international advisory boards.
- Drive real-world impact through partnerships in scientific discovery, human-AI interaction, and public good.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Collaborative, cutting-edge academic research environment with a mission to open-source AI for global benefit. Teams span Abu Dhabi, Paris, and Silicon Valley.
- **Remote/hybrid/office**: All listed roles are **on-site** (Sunnyvale, CA or Abu Dhabi). No remote policy indicated.
- **Notable perks**: Work with world-class researchers, access to large-scale compute, opportunity to publish and contribute to open-source models. The institute combines the agility of a startup with the resources of an established university.
- **Current openings**: AI Research Internship (LLM), Distributed Machine Learning Engineer, Eval360 Error Analysis Engineer, High Performance Computing Software Engineer (Supercomputing) – all on-site in Sunnyvale or Abu Dhabi.

## Sources
1. [ifm.ai](https://ifm.ai/)
2. [ifm.ai/about](https://ifm.ai/about/)
3. [jobs.lever.co/ifm-us](https://jobs.lever.co/ifm-us)
4. [LinkedIn – Institute of Foundation Models](https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-of-foundation-models)
5. [MBZUAI News – Launch of IFM and Silicon Valley Lab](https://mbzuai.ac.ae/news/mbzuai-launches-institute-of-foundation-models-and-establishes-silicon-valley-ai-lab/)

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