AI/ML Research Scientist

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Conference travel grants

Access to HPC resources

Research grants

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative AI/ML Research Scientist to join our advanced research division in Centurion, Gauteng. You will conduct fundamental and applied research across deep learning, reinforcement learning, NLP, and computer vision.

You will design experiments, publish findings at top conferences, mentor junior researchers, and collaborate with engineers to translate research into real-world applications. A PhD and a strong publication record are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in CS/AI/ML or related field.
• Strong publication record in leading AI conferences or journals.
• Expertise in deep learning, NLP, computer vision, or reinforcement learning.
• Proficiency with Python and ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX).
• Experience with NumPy and SciPy.
• Strong foundations in linear algebra, calculus, probability.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge AI/ML research across DL, NLP, CV, and RL.
• Design and implement novel algorithms and models.
• Develop rigorous experiments to validate hypotheses.
• Analyze results and publish findings in top venues.
• Collaborate with engineers to deploy research prototypes.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to research strategy.
• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to IP through patents and publications.

Skills

Publication record

Research mindset

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Computer Science/AI/ML

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

JAX

NumPy

SciPy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in AI and Emerging Technologies, is seeking an innovative and highly motivated AI/ML Research Scientist to join their advanced research division in Centurion, Gauteng . This role is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence by conducting fundamental and applied research in areas such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and executing research experiments, analyzing results, and publishing findings in leading scientific conferences and journals. The ideal candidate possesses a strong academic background, a proven record of research achievements, and a deep curiosity for uncovering novel AI solutions. You will collaborate with a world-class team of researchers and engineers, contributing to groundbreaking projects that have the potential to reshape industries. This position offers a stimulating research environment and the opportunity to work on challenging, state-of-the-art AI problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence and machine learning, focusing on areas like deep learning, NLP, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.
• Design and implement novel algorithms and models to solve complex AI problems.
• Develop and conduct rigorous experiments to validate research hypotheses.
• Analyze experimental results, draw meaningful conclusions, and document findings comprehensively.
• Publish research papers in top-tier AI conferences and journals.
• Collaborate with engineers to transition research prototypes into practical applications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in the AI research community.
• Present research findings to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the team's research strategy.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio through patents and publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• A strong publication record in leading AI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, ACL) or journals.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one major area of AI/ML, such as deep learning, NLP, computer vision, or reinforcement learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python and experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Experience with scientific computing libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy).
• Strong theoretical foundation in machine learning and mathematics (linear algebra, calculus, probability).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex ideas.
• Experience with distributed training systems and high-performance computing is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and research grants.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous time off and holiday schedule.
• Support for attending international conferences and workshops.
• Access to high-performance computing resources.
• Stimulating research environment with leading experts.
• Opportunities for career advancement within research tracks.
• Relocation support for qualified candidates.