AI Ethics and Safety Researcher

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Publications support

Conference participation

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Soweto invites applications for an AI Ethics and Safety Researcher. You will conduct rigorous research to identify bias, fairness and safety risks in AI systems and help shape responsible deployment across projects.

You'll collaborate with engineers and ethicists, publish in journals, and contribute to internal guidelines. This is a unique opportunity to advance critical AI ethics research within a dynamic team in Soweto.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in CS, Philosophy, Ethics or related AI-focused field.
• 3+ years of research in AI ethics or AI safety.
• Strong ML understanding and AI architectures.
• Experience with quantitative research methods and statistics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication to convey complex ideas.

Responsibilities

• Research AI safety and ethical challenges, including bias and fairness.
• Develop methodologies to assess ethical alignment of AI systems.
• Collaborate with engineers and data scientists to embed ethics in development.
• Publish findings in academic journals and present at conferences.
• Contribute to internal guidelines for responsible AI deployment in Soweto.

Skills

AI ethics

Research

Machine learning

Statistics

Quantitative methods

Communication

Education

PhD or Master’s in Computer Science, Philosophy, Ethics or related AI-focused field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a forward-thinking AI Ethics and Safety Researcher to join their dedicated team in Soweto . This role is crucial in ensuring the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence, focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks related to bias, fairness, and safety. You will conduct in-depth research, develop frameworks, and collaborate with engineers and ethicists to build AI systems that are beneficial and trustworthy. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to critical research in a rapidly advancing field and help shape the ethical landscape of AI.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on AI safety and ethical challenges, including bias detection and mitigation, fairness, and transparency.
• Develop and propose methodologies and tools for evaluating and ensuring the ethical alignment of AI systems.
• Collaborate with AI engineers and data scientists to integrate ethical considerations into the development lifecycle.
• Publish research findings in academic journals and present at relevant conferences.
• Contribute to the development of internal guidelines and best practices for responsible AI deployment in Soweto .

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Philosophy, Ethics, or a related quantitative field with an AI focus.
• 3+ years of research experience in AI ethics, AI safety, or a related area.
• Strong understanding of machine learning principles and common AI architectures.
• Experience with quantitative research methods and statistical analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ethical and technical concepts.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and attractive benefits package.
• Opportunity to conduct impactful research at the forefront of AI ethics and safety.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Support for professional growth, publications, and conference participation.
• Make a tangible difference in ensuring AI is developed responsibly.