Institute of Foundation Models

The Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) is a research institute launched under Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Its mission is to lead foundational research in generative AI by building, understanding, using, and managing risks of foundation models (including large language models, multimodal models, and domain-specific models). IFM operates across multiple global sites—Abu Dhabi, Paris, and Silicon Valley—to collaborate internationally and translate rigorous AI research into impactful, real-world solutions.

As a research institute in academia/AI, benefits tend to align with university / research employment norms. Potential or reported benefits include:

• Opportunities to work on cutting-edge AI / foundation model research
• Collaboration with global academic & industry talent
• Access to advanced compute infrastructure & models
• Competitive compensation for research staff / engineers
• Support for publications, conference travel, and academic collaborations
• Career growth in the AI research domain
• Exposure to governance, safety, and ethical AI work