About this role
About the Role
At Canva, we’re building a future powered by AI that’s as magical as it is impactful. As a Staff Research Scientist, you’ll shape that future by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with foundational models and leading research that translates into practical, scalable impact. This role blends hands-on model development with strategic research leadership — from exploring new architectures to influencing product direction through scientific breakthroughs.
You’ll operate at the intersection of innovation and impact, helping set our long-term AI research agenda while ensuring our work lands in the hands of millions of users around the world.
What you’ll do
Lead high-impact research initiatives that drive the development of foundational models across Canva’s AI domainsDesign and execute experiments to validate hypotheses, optimize model behavior, and measure real-world performanceTranslate theoretical research and papers into robust, production-ready implementationsDevelop novel model architectures and training methodologies that advance state-of-the-art outcomesPartner closely with ML Engineers to scale models and integrate them into Canva’s product ecosystemShape our research roadmap by identifying emerging trends, technologies, and open challengesShare your knowledge internally through documentation and cross-team collaborations, and externally through papers or talks where appropriateWho you are:
You’re someone who thrives in ambiguity, loves connecting deep research with product application, and has a proven track record of driving scientific and technical excellence at scale. You can balance the long-term vision with practical delivery — influencing roadmaps, mentoring others, and making bold research bets when needed.
We’re looking for someone who brings:
Deep & demonstrated expertise in machine learning and foundational model development -particularly in areas like LLMs, vision-language models, generative AI, or multi-modal systemsExperience in developing and deploying generative AI models for video synthesis and audio generationA strong publication record or evidence of research impact in industryExperience owning research strategy and execution end-to-end — from problem formulation through to real-world deploymentProficiency in turning complex theoretical ideas into something tangible, and evaluating them with rigorCollaborative mindset — you work exceptionally well with engineers, product teams, and other researchersWhat you’ll learn and how you’ll grow
Deep involvement in Canva’s long-term AI strategy and foundational model directionOpportunities to mentor and level up our research communityExposure to product impact at truly global scale (we’re talking hundreds of millions of users)Dedicated time for self-driven research exploration and experimentation What's in it for you?
Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard - and we do - but you'll experience lots of moments of magic, connectivity and fun woven throughout life at Canva, too. We also offer a range of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work.
Here's a taste of what's on offer:
Equity packages - we want our success to be yours tooHealth benefits plans to support you and your wellbeing401(k) retirement plan with company contributionInclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents & carersAn annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support your wellbeing, social connection, office setup & moreFlexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and supports you personallyCheck out lifeatcanva.com for more information.
Other stuff to know
We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills, merit and business needs, in compliance with applicable local laws. We celebrate all types of skills and backgrounds at Canva so even if you don’t feel like your skills quite match what’s listed above - we still want to hear from you!
When you apply, please tell us the pronouns you use and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process. Please note that interviews are conducted virtually.
At Canva, we value fairness, and we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation whilst ensuring internal equity within the team in each region. The target base salary range for this position is $280,000 - $330,000. When calculating offers, we make salary decisions based on market data, your experience levels, and internal benchmarks of your peers in the same domain and job level.