Lead AI Researcher, New Product

Pelago is the world’s leading virtual clinic for Substance Use Management. Our program provides guidance, support and treatment for members seeking to overcome their tobacco, alcohol and opioid use. From unhealthy habits to active substance use disorders, Pelago delivers a personalized solution based on individual health, habits, genetics, and goals, providing care for members wherever they might be on the substance use spectrum.   Pelago's suite of virtual services ranges from education, to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to comprehensive medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Pelago enables employers and health plans to deliver accessible, affordable, and effective treatment for substance misuse.   Pelago has scaled to helping hundreds of employers and health plans and has already helped more than 750,000 members manage their substance use better. We have recently closed our Series C and raised over $151m from leading global investors. If you are passionate about making an impact on the health of others, join us and make it happen!

Overview of the Role: 

As Pelago’s founding Lead AI Researcher, you’ll define how generative AI transforms behavioral healthcare. You’ll play a key role in shaping the scientific and strategic direction of a new initiative, applying advanced machine learning to rethink how mental health care is accessed, personalized, and delivered at scale.

This is a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of clinical innovation and generative AI, translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact. You’ll develop and validate applications ranging from empathetic conversational agents to therapy-matching systems, while advancing the science of safe, effective, and responsible AI in healthcare. In this role, you’ll have end-to-end ownership: setting research direction, driving core technical decisions, and ensuring your work directly informs product strategy and measurable outcomes.

This is a hybrid role with a high-collaboration rhythm (4 days/week in our NYC office).

In this role you will…

• Lead the development of novel generative AI applications, from empathetic conversational agents to therapy-matching algorithms
• Work with a small, focused engineering team to bring a 0:1 product vision to life
• Advance the application of AI in behavioral health through rigorous, research-driven innovation
• Translate cutting-edge research into prototypes and features that inform product direction and support hypothesis-driven experimentation
• Post-train LLMs on proprietary, de-identified clinical and engagement data, leveraging both structured and unstructured modalities
• Define research methodologies and safety evaluation frameworks that contribute to best practices for responsible AI use in healthcare
• Collaborate closely with product, clinical, and engineering teams to test research previews, iterate in production, and ensure AI research translates into strategy and impact
• Foster a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, and transparent results-sharing across the broader team

The background we are looking for... 

• Experience developing applied ML/AI systems, ideally in healthcare or other regulated, high-stakes domains
• Skilled in training and post-training large language models using frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Deep understanding of modern ML (transformers, optimization, linear algebra); bonus for graph ML or computational neuroscience
• Strong communicator, able to explain complex technical ideas to cross-functional and executive audiences
• Proven ability to partner with product teams to shape research direction and ship high-impact prototypes
• Bonus: Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) and a track record of sharing work via publications, conferences, or internal thought leadership

What you’ll love about us… 

We have a whole host of perks for our people! From life essentials to nice-to-haves, there are more than a few good reasons to love working with us. We strive to ensure Pelago employees have equitable access to healthcare, wellbeing, time away, and then some.

• Generous and meaningful equity package
• Full Medical, Dental, & Vision coverage 
• 401k Plan 
• Unlimited PTO Policy, 10 paid holidays, & quarterly company wide “Me Time” Days
• Paid parental leave
• Annual Learning and Development stipend to support continued learning and career development
• Wellness Reimbursement Program 
• Access to Reproductive & Family Planning Care 
• Substance Use Support for employees and family members 

At this time, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. 

Please note that Pelago is dedicated to providing accommodations to candidates upon request. If you need accommodations at any point throughout the interview process, please reach out to your recruiter.

The provided range reflects our US target salary range for this full-time position, which is part of our broader total compensation package, including incentive bonus program, stock options, comprehensive benefits, and incentive pay applicable to eligible roles. Individual pay within the range will vary based on a variety of factors like role-related experience and education, internal pay equity, and other relevant business factors. At Pelago, we are committed to an equitable and fair pay philosophy and review total compensation for our employees at least twice a year.

Base Pay Range$180,000—$210,000 USD