Research Scientist, Latent State Inference for World Models
Toyota Research InstituteLos Altos, California
Full Time
Posted August 4, 2025
$176k - $264k
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Job Description
A Research Scientist role focused on inferring latent state representations from sensor data to develop and evaluate world models for autonomous vehicles, enabling high-fidelity predictive modeling and robust policy assessment in dynamic driving environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Infer latent state representations from sensor data to support world models.
- Develop high-fidelity predictive models using structured and raw perception data.
- Evaluate and ensure the semantic richness and temporal coherence of inferred latent states.
- Support policy evaluation for autonomous vehicles in simulated or learned environments.
- Collaborate with researchers to integrate perception, world modeling, and reinforcement learning techniques.
Requirements
- Experience in inferring latent state representations from sensor data for world models in autonomous vehicles or related fields.
- Ability to work on high-fidelity predictive modeling and reliable policy assessment in simulated or learned environments.
- Experience working closely with researchers developing world models and policy evaluation to ensure latent states are semantically rich, temporally coherent, and suitable for long-horizon prediction and counterfactual analysis.
- Proficiency in raw perception and structured representations related to sensor data processing.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing or applying methods for inferring latent states that support multi-agent reasoning in dynamic driving environments.
- Strong background in perception, world modeling, and model-based reinforcement learning as applied to autonomous driving or similar domains.
- Educational background in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related disciplines (implying at least a Bachelor's degree; specific degree requirements are not explicitly stated but are typically expected).
- Proven track record of research or practical experience in developing scalable, human-like driving intelligence or similar AI systems (implied by the research focus).
- Ability to contribute to the development of data-driven world models that generalize across tasks, sensor modalities, and public road scenarios.
- Excellent communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of researchers and engineers.
- Submission of a brief cover letter and a link to Google Scholar or similar to include a full list of publications when applying (implying a requirement for a strong research background).
Benefits & Perks
Salary range between $176,000 and $264,000 per year
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) eligibility
Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
Annual cash bonus
Ready to Apply?
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