SciPhi, a YC W24 startup, is seeking a Founding AI Research Engineer to build the "copilot for science." This role involves developing AI models for scientific discovery, potentially including tasks like designing experiments, analyzing data, and generating scientific text. Ideal candidates possess strong machine learning expertise, experience with large language models, and a passion for scientific advancement. This is a full-time, remote position offering significant equity and the opportunity to shape the future of scientific research.
Arsenal FC is seeking a Research Engineer to join their Performance Analysis department. This role will focus on developing and implementing AI-powered solutions to analyze football data, including tracking data, event data, and video. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in computer science, machine learning, and statistical modeling, with experience in areas like computer vision and time-series analysis. The Research Engineer will work closely with domain experts (coaches and analysts) to translate research findings into practical tools that enhance team performance. Proficiency in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks are essential.
HN commenters discuss the Arsenal FC research engineer job posting, expressing skepticism about the genuine need for AI research at a football club. Some question the practicality of applying cutting-edge AI to football, suggesting it's more of a marketing ploy or an attempt to attract talent for more mundane data analysis tasks. Others debate the potential applications, mentioning player performance analysis, opponent strategy prediction, and even automated video editing. A few commenters with experience in sports analytics highlight the existing use of data science in the field and suggest the role might be more focused on traditional statistical analysis rather than pure research. Overall, the prevailing sentiment is one of cautious curiosity mixed with doubt about the ambitious nature of the advertised position.
Summary of Comments ( 0 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42857929
HN commenters discuss SciPhi's job posting, expressing skepticism about the extremely broad required skillset, from AI research to frontend and backend development, devops, and even UI/UX design. Some speculate this signals a pre-seed stage startup looking for a "Swiss Army Knife" engineer to handle everything, which could be appealing to some but off-putting to specialists. Others question the feasibility of one person possessing such a diverse range of expertise at a high level. There's also debate on the appropriateness of requesting research publications for such a role and whether the compensation is competitive, given the demands. Several commenters highlight the high bar set by the requirements and the potential for burnout, while others see it as a great opportunity for a generalist to have a significant impact on a new company. The lack of specific research areas mentioned also draws some criticism, with commenters desiring more clarity on SciPhi's focus.
The Hacker News post titled "SciPhi (YC W24) Is Hiring" linking to a SciPhi job posting for a Founding AI Research Engineer generated several comments discussing various aspects of the role and the company.
Several commenters focused on the demanding nature of the "founding engineer" title. One commenter expressed skepticism about the implied equity compensation for such a crucial role, questioning whether the offered equity would truly reflect the significant contribution a founding engineer would make. This prompted a discussion about the difficulties of assessing early-stage equity and the importance of understanding the specifics of the offer. Another commenter pointed out that the term "founding engineer" can sometimes be misleading, as it's not always equivalent to being a true co-founder with significant ownership and decision-making power. This led to a conversation about the importance of clarifying roles and expectations early in the hiring process.
The required skills for the role also drew attention. Some users questioned the necessity of listing very specific and advanced technical skills, arguing that it might discourage otherwise qualified candidates from applying. They suggested that focusing on fundamental skills and a demonstrated ability to learn quickly might be a more effective approach to finding the right fit. Others debated the appropriateness of requiring expertise in areas like "graph neural networks for molecules" for a founding role, with some suggesting it was too niche.
The company's focus on AI for scientific discovery also generated discussion. Commenters expressed both excitement and skepticism about the potential of AI in this field. Some highlighted the challenges of applying AI to complex scientific problems, emphasizing the need for domain expertise and careful validation of results. Others were more optimistic, pointing to recent advancements in AI and the potential for transformative breakthroughs.
Finally, the YC (Y Combinator) association was mentioned. Some commenters saw the YC backing as a positive signal, suggesting it could indicate a promising company with good potential for growth. However, others cautioned against putting too much weight on the YC affiliation alone, advising potential candidates to thoroughly evaluate the company and the specific role before making a decision. There was some discussion around the implications of being a Winter 2024 batch company, suggesting that the company was still in its very early stages.