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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Researcher - Foundation and World Models on Structured Business Data - **Company:** SAP AG - **Location:** Wuppertal, Germany - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Data Files, Graph Database, Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Tensorflow, SAP (Applications), Pytorch, Large Language Models, Information Technology - **Published:** July 12, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.xing.com/jobs/garching-bei-muenchen-principal-researcher-foundation-world-models-structured-business-data-156205859 ## About the Role * PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, physics, mathematics or other relevant disciplines * Candidate must have an academic background in one of the following fields: Foundation Models / Machine Learning on large scale structured data, World Models. This should be supported by a substantial record of related publications, including recent works, at top tier conferences and a well-established network in these fields. * A strong research vision for foundation models on structured data, and of how world models impact the development of such foundation models * Extensive research experience with machine learning on structured data * Ideally, experience in Causal AI and how it relates to foundation models on structured data * Proven experience and deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with collaboration between industrial and academic research * Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch , TensorFlow, or similar. Optionally, hands-on experience with (knowledge) graph technologies * Ideally, professional experience with the combination of knowledge graphs and large language models in ERP domain * Proven history of leading projects with a strategic mindset complemented by superior organizational abilities ## Description * Drive pioneering technical advances to the field of foundation models on structured data, as well as exploring world models for solving business problems . * Expand the horizon of what is possible by bringing together rich semantic context with large scale business data * Define the research agenda for a small squad of research scientists and engineers * Enable academic research by providing B usiness AI relevant problem statements, frameworks and data sets . * Keep the pulse with novel research, providing insights into the latest research findings and making them comparable with internal work . * Translate applied research breakthroughs into research publications at relevant top-tier conferences and contribute to thought leadership in foundation and world models on structured data. * Collaborate closely with various domain specialists and data owners to understand how the data can be used for world model training. * Contribute to thought leadership in an entirely new field of Foundation and World Models on Structured Data. * Work closely with the team developing the relational pre-trained transformer (SAP-RPT-1) to exchange information and ensure that internal initiatives and project deliverables are aligned with community best practices. * Collaborate with established academic partners and define new collaborations with top tier academic researchers. * Supervise PhD students during summer internships or as part of academic collaborations. ## Related Videos - [Photonic Computing: Programming a New Class of AI Accelerators (incl. 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