Member of Technical Staff Lead Researcher

What you'll do

• Define and set the research agenda for specific areas within the DoorDash AI Research organization.
• Lead high-impact research projects from initial problem framing through to publication and production deployment.
• Recruit, interview, and mentor new researchers, engineers, and fellows joining the team.
• Shape the department's culture, operating model, and collaboration methods with product teams.
• Partner with internal ML platform, product, and operations teams to identify high-leverage research opportunities.
• Translate complex research findings into practical, real-world impacts for the DoorDash marketplace.

What we're looking for

• Proven research track record with first-author publications at top ML venues or equivalent high-impact output.
• Experience leading ambitious research projects from problem framing through to publication and production deployment.
• Ability to identify valuable problems, recognize when approaches are exhausted, and validate results.
• Proficiency in working with real systems and data rather than just benchmarks.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop other researchers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A PhD in a relevant field is typical but not required if strong research output is demonstrated.