Senior Research Scientist - Music at Spotify

New York, New York, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Music, Technology, AIIndustries

Requirements

Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field (previous industry experience helpful)
Experience in one or more of the following fields: generative modeling, machine learning, music information retrieval, speech processing, audio processing, signal processing, probabilistic modeling, computer vision, or related areas
Publications in communities such as ICASSP, ISMIR, INTERSPEECH, ICLR, AAAI, IJCAI, NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ECCV, ICCV, or related
Strong coding skills in Python, PyTorch, NumPy
Creative problem solver passionate about building outstanding products that add real value to millions of people
Enthusiastic about learning more about turning research ideas into products operating at scale
Ability to explain complex topics in simple terms and enjoy building strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
Located within the North Americas region with availability for core working hours (CET 3pm-6pm / EST 9am-12pm)

Responsibilities

Conduct groundbreaking research in music generation (diffusion, flow matching, or autoregressive models), as well as related domains like ML-based audio processing, music information retrieval, machine learning, and signal processing
Run large-scale experiments with access to Spotify’s extensive infrastructure and an audience of more than 700 million monthly active users
Create practical applications that harness generative technologies, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in listening experiences
Collaborate as part of a cross-functional team—working closely with scientists, engineers, product managers, designers, user researchers, and analysts—to craft innovative solutions to complex challenges
Have a direct impact on Spotify’s products, tools, and services, working on projects that influence the entire organization
Engage with the broader research community by publishing findings, delivering talks, and attending top conferences

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

music generationdiffusion modelsflow matchingautoregressive modelsML-based audio processingmusic information retrievalmachine learningsignal processing

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is a Ph.D. required for this Senior Research Scientist role?

Yes, a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field is required. Previous industry experience is helpful but not mandatory.

What specific research areas or skills are needed for this position?

Experience is required in one or more of the following: generative modeling, machine learning, music information retrieval, speech processing, audio processing, signal processing, probabilistic modeling, computer vision, or related areas. The role involves groundbreaking research in music generation using diffusion, flow matching, or autoregressive models.

What is the employment type for this role?

The position is permanent.

What does the team focus on at Spotify's Artist-First AI Music lab?

The team pioneers and advances state-of-the-art generative technologies for music that create breakthrough experiences for fans and artists, centering artists and songwriters through principles like partnerships, choice in participation, fair compensation, and artist-fan connections.

Who collaborates on this role, and what opportunities does it offer?

You'll collaborate with a cross-functional team including scientists, engineers, product managers, designers, user researchers, and analysts. The role offers direct impact on Spotify’s products, access to extensive infrastructure and 700 million users, and opportunities to publish findings and attend top conferences.

Spotify

Digital music streaming service with podcasts

About Spotify

Spotify provides a digital music streaming service that allows users to access millions of songs and podcasts from various artists and creators. Users can choose between a free plan, which includes advertisements, and a premium subscription that offers an ad-free experience along with features like offline listening and higher sound quality. This tiered model caters to different user preferences and budgets. Spotify generates revenue through subscription fees from premium users and advertising from the free tier. Unlike its competitors, Spotify stands out with its extensive music library, user-friendly interface, and personalized playlists. The company's goal is to connect listeners with a wide range of audio content while supporting artists and advertisers.

Stockholms kommun, SwedenHeadquarters

2006Year Founded

$2,004.2MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Consumer Software, EntertainmentIndustries

10,001+Employees

Benefits

Extensive learning opportunities, through our dedicated team, GreenHouse

Global parental leave, six months off - fully paid - for all new parents

Flexible public holidays, swap days off according to your values and beliefs

Flexible share incentives letting you choose how you share in our success

All The Feels, our employee assistance program and self-care hub

Spotify On Tour, join your colleagues on trips to industry festivals and events

Risks

Accidental display of adult content may harm Spotify's reputation.

Creating its own music to avoid royalties could lead to legal issues.

Layoffs may affect Spotify's operational efficiency and employee morale.

Differentiation

Spotify offers a vast library of music and podcasts globally.

The platform's user-friendly interface enhances user experience and engagement.

Spotify's personalized playlists cater to individual user preferences.

Upsides

Spotify's AI-powered Wrapped feature enhances user engagement and personalization.

Expansion into political podcasting taps into new audience segments.

Growing podcast popularity in Africa presents expansion opportunities for Spotify.

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