The Applied Scientist role at Adobe Firefly’s ASML group targets senior researchers and engineers with expertise in post-training, alignment, and distillation of large-scale generative AI models. This position involves conducting cutting-edge research to enhance the quality, efficiency, and safety of image and video generation models used by millions of users. Day-to-day responsibilities include designing and evaluating techniques like RLHF, DPO/GRPO, SFT, and model distillation, developing efficient methods for inference acceleration, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate innovations into Adobe products. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in large-scale generative AI training, experience with diffusion models and transformers, and proficiency in Python, PyTorch, and ML infrastructure tools. This role offers the chance to work on impactful projects that push the boundaries of digital creativity at scale.
Skills
Python
PyTorch
RLHF
DPO/GRPO
SFT
diffusion models
transformers
ML infrastructure tools
CI/CD
reinforcement learning
supervised fine-tuning
model distillation
efficiency methods
reward modeling
preference optimization
large-scale generative AI
What you'll do
Conduct research and development in post-training alignment and model distillation for large-scale generative AI models.
Design and evaluate techniques like RLHF, DPO/GRPO, SFT to enhance instruction-following and safety of AI models.
Develop efficient methods for distilling, compressing, and accelerating inference of frontier models for scalable deployment.
Build evaluation pipelines to assess quality, efficiency, and safety metrics of generative models.
Convert research ideas into production-ready implementations using Python and modern ML toolkits.
What we're looking for
Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field.
Strong experience with large-scale generative AI post-training techniques (SFT, RLHF).
Expertise in reinforcement learning from human feedback and direct preference optimization.
Proficiency in Python, PyTorch, and modern ML infrastructure tools.
Familiarity with diffusion models, transformers, and other state-of-the-art architectures.
Market check
Salary context
This
$187,100–$270,950
range sits above
84%
of similar postings on FindRole.
Peer median band
$122,372–$225,000
Median floor and ceiling across peers.
Typical midpoint (25–75%)
$140,750–$209,000
Middle half of comparable postings.
Based on 240 comparable postings.*
* 240 is the maximum number of comparable postings sampled.
Employer
About Adobe
Adobe Inc. is a global software company known for creative and multimedia software products including Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and its cloud-based Creative Cloud and Document Cloud suites. Industry: Creative & Digital Experience Software
Adobe currently has
290 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$183,300–$265,350
across 290 roles with salary data.