Conduct research in generative music technologies, run experiments, create applications, collaborate across teams, engage with the research community, and influence Spotify's offerings.
We are seeking a Staff Research Scientist to join our Artist-First AI Music lab. Our team pioneers and advances state-of-the-art generative technologies for music that create breakthrough experiences for fans and artists. We invent entirely new listening experiences that center and celebrate artists and creatives. All of our products will put artists and songwriters first, through these four principles:
Partnerships with record labels, distributors, and music publishers: We’ll develop new products for artists and fans through upfront agreements, not by asking for forgiveness later.
Choice in participation: We recognize there’s a wide range of views on use of generative music tools within the artistic community. Therefore, artists and rightsholders will choose if and how to participate to ensure the use of AI tools aligns with the values of the people behind the music.
Fair compensation and new revenue: We will build products that create wholly new revenue streams for rightsholders, artists, and songwriters, ensuring they are properly compensated for uses of their work and transparently credited for their contributions.
Artist-fan connection: AI tools we develop will not replace human artistry. They will give artists new ways to be creative and connect with fans. We will leverage our role as the place where more than 700 million people already come to listen to music every month to ensure that generative AI deepens artist-fan connections.
For more information, see this press release: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-10-16/artist-first-ai-music-spotify-collaboration/
What You'll Do
- Conduct ground breaking 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 your findings, delivering talks, and attending top conferences.
Who You Are
- You have a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. Previous industry experience is helpful.
- You have 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.
- You have publications in communities such as ICASSP, ISMIR, INTERSPEECH, ICLR, AAAI, IJCAI, NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ECCV, ICCV, or related.
- You have strong coding skills in the following languages/libraries: Python, PyTorch, NumPy.
- You are a creative problem solver who is passionate about building outstanding products that add real value to millions of people.
- You are enthusiastic about learning more about turning research ideas into products operating at scale.
- You can explain complex topics in simple terms, and you enjoy building strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
Where You'll Be
- We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best! For this role, you can be within the North Americas region as long as we have a work location.
- This team operates within the Eastern Standard time zone for collaboration.
- Core working hours are CET 3pm-6pm / EST 9am-12pm.
The United States base range for this position is $203,795 - $291,136 plus equity. The benefits available for this position include health insurance, six month paid parental leave, 401(k) retirement plan, a monthly meal allowance, 23 paid days off, 13 paid flexible holidays. These ranges may be modified in the future.
Spotify is an equal opportunity employer. You are welcome at Spotify for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what’s playing in your headphones. Our platform is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking! So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way the world listens.
At Spotify, we are passionate about inclusivity and making sure our entire recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We have ways to request reasonable accommodations during the interview process and help assist in what you need. If you need accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know - we’re here to support you in any way we can.
Spotify transformed music listening forever when we launched in 2008. Our mission is to unlock the potential of human creativity by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the chance to enjoy and be passionate about these creators. Everything we do is driven by our love for music and podcasting. Today, we are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service.
Top Skills
Numpy
Python
PyTorch
Spotify New York, New York, USA Office
4 World Trade Center, New York, NY, United States, 10007
Similar Jobs
Edtech • Information Technology • Software
The VP of Global Professional Services strategizes and executes a services organization, leveraging AI and analytics to drive platform adoption and customer satisfaction. Responsibilities include overseeing service offerings, financial performance, delivery excellence, and leading a global team.
Automotive • Big Data • Information Technology • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Manufacturing
Design, build, and maintain secure, scalable SecOps platforms using C++, Rust, and scripting. Implement CI/CD and DevOps practices, integrate systems via APIs/webhooks and AI-driven tools, architect cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP) environments, optimize Linux/kernel configurations, automate infrastructure, and collaborate with SecOps on monitoring, detection, and response to protect enterprise assets.
Top Skills:
Scripting Languages,C++,Rust,Linux,Linux Kernel,Aws,Azure,Gcp,Apis,Webhooks,Ci/Cd,Devops,Ai-Driven Tools
Blockchain • Fintech • Payments • Consulting • Cryptocurrency • Cybersecurity • Quantum Computing
Lead architecture and technical strategy for enterprise-scale, real-time AI inferencing and decisioning platforms. Drive design for scalable, resilient distributed systems, mentor engineers, promote best practices, and partner with product leaders to deliver production AI/ML integrations and platform cohesion.
Top Skills:
Cloud,Data Platform,Ai/Ml,Real-Time Streaming Pipelines,Business Rules Management Platforms,In-Memory Data Grids,Rule Engines,Decisioning Engines,Real-Time Inferencing
What you need to know about the NYC Tech Scene
As the undisputed financial capital of the world, New York City is an epicenter of startup funding activity. The city has a thriving fintech scene and is a major player in verticals ranging from AI to biotech, cybersecurity and digital media. It also has universities like NYU, Columbia and Cornell Tech attracting students and researchers from across the globe, providing the ecosystem with a constant influx of world-class talent. And its East Coast location and three international airports make it a perfect spot for European companies establishing a foothold in the United States.
Key Facts About NYC Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 549,200; 6% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Capgemini, Bloomberg, IBM, Spotify
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, Fintech
- Funding Landscape: $25.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Greycroft, Thrive Capital, Union Square Ventures, FirstMark Capital, Tiger Global Management, Tribeca Venture Partners, Insight Partners, Two Sigma Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Columbia University, New York University, Fordham University, CUNY, AI Now Institute, Flatiron Institute, C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, NASA Space Radiation Laboratory
