• 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
• Lead high‑impact research initiatives that drive the development of foundational models across Canva’s AI domains
• Design and execute experiments to validate hypotheses, optimize model behavior, and measure real‑world performance
• Translate theoretical research and papers into robust, production‑ready implementations
• Develop novel model architectures and training methodologies that advance state‑of‑the‑art outcomes
• Partner closely with ML Engineers to scale models and integrate them into Canva’s product ecosystem
• Shape our research roadmap by identifying emerging trends, technologies, and open challenges
• Share your knowledge internally through documentation and cross‑team collaborations, and externally through papers or talks where appropriate
• Exposure to product impact at truly global scale (we’re talking hundreds of millions of users)

Dedicated time for self‑driven research exploration and experimentation

• 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
• Deep & demonstrated expertise in machine learning and foundational model development -particularly in areas like LLMs, vision‑language models, generative AI, or multi‑modal systems
• Experience in developing and deploying generative AI models for video synthesis and audio generation
• A strong publication record or evidence of research impact in industry
• Experience owning research strategy and execution end‑to‑end — from problem formulation through to real‑world deployment

Proficiency in turning complex theoretical ideas into something tangible, and evaluating them with rigor >Collaborative mindset — you work exceptionally well with engineers, product teams, and other researchers

• Deep involvement in Canva’s long‑term AI strategy and foundational model direction
• Opportunities to mentor and level up our research community
• We also offer a range of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work
• Equity packages – we want our success to be yours too
• Health benefits plans to support you and your wellbeing
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
• Inclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents & carers
• An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support your wellbeing, social connection, office setup & more
• Flexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and supports you personally

The target base salary range for this position is $280,000 – $330,000