AI Ethics and Safety Researcher

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and retirement fund

Generous leave

Conference attendance support

Job summary

Placements24 in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, invites applications for an AI Ethics and Safety Researcher to advance responsible AI. The role focuses on researching risks, developing evaluation frameworks, and shaping ethical guidelines, with close collaboration across research teams on-site.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD or Master’s in AI, philosophy, ethics, or related field, and has a proven track record in AI ethics or safety research, with strong communication and publication experience and a

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy, Ethics, Cognitive Science, or a related discipline with a focus on AI ethics and safety.
• Strong research background in AI ethics, AI safety, or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to publish research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on AI safety, alignment, interpretability, and fairness.
• Develop frameworks to evaluate ethical implications and safety of AI systems.
• Identify risks and vulnerabilities in AI models and applications.
• Contribute to best practices and guidelines for responsible AI development.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to integrate safety and ethics into development lifecycles.

Skills

AI ethics research

Analytical thinking

Academic writing

Collaboration

Education

PhD or Master's in CS/AI/Philosophy/Ethics

Job description

Our client, a pioneering force in the **AI & Emerging Technologies** sector, is seeking an AI Ethics and Safety Researcher to join their dedicated team in **Mossel Bay, Western Cape**. This critical role focuses on ensuring that artificial intelligence is developed and deployed in a manner that is safe, fair, and beneficial to society. You will conduct in-depth research into potential AI risks, develop methodologies for evaluating AI safety, and contribute to the creation of ethical guidelines and best practices. This is an on-site position, vital for fostering close collaboration with research teams and participating in critical discussions within our **Mossel Bay** facility. The ideal candidate possesses a strong academic background in AI, philosophy, ethics, or a related field, coupled with a profound commitment to responsible AI innovation. You will have the opportunity to shape the future of AI safety and ethics within a leading organization, contributing to the development of trustworthy AI systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on AI safety, alignment, interpretability, and fairness.
• Develop and implement frameworks for evaluating the ethical implications and safety of AI systems.
• Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in AI models and applications.
• Contribute to the development of best practices and guidelines for responsible AI development.
• Collaborate with AI researchers and engineers to integrate safety and ethical considerations into the development lifecycle.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and developments in AI ethics and safety globally.
• Publish research findings in academic journals and present at conferences.
• Advise on policy and governance related to AI ethics and safety.
• Contribute to internal and external discussions on the societal impact of AI.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy, Ethics, Cognitive Science, or a related discipline with a focus on AI ethics and safety.
• Demonstrated experience in AI ethics, AI safety research, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML concepts and their societal implications.
• Familiarity with methods for AI interpretability, verification, and robustness.
• Excellent analytical, research, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• Experience publishing research in reputable venues is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research-oriented team.
• Must be available to work full-time at our **Mossel Bay, Western Cape** office.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for research grants/funding.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous leave allowance and public holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, attending conferences, and further research.
• Work on cutting-edge research with a significant societal impact.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment.
• Access to advanced research facilities and computational resources.
• Employee wellness programs and work-life balance initiatives.