AI/ML Research Scientist - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Continuous learning

Research facilities

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an AI/ML Research Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning to drive frontier RL research in Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa. You will design novel RL algorithms, develop agents for challenging decision problems, and publish results to advance the field.

The role requires a PhD or MSc with RL specialization, strong Python and DL framework experience, and a track record of RL publications.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in CS/AI/ML with RL specialization is required.
• Proven track record of RL research publications in top venues.
• Strong programming skills in Python and deep learning frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge RL research and develop novel algorithms.
• Design and implement RL agents for complex decision problems.
• Analyze experimental results and derive actionable insights.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to deploy RL solutions.
• Publish findings in top AI conferences and journals.
• Stay updated on RL advancements and publishable ideas.
• Build robust simulation environments for RL training.
• Contribute to research strategy and technical direction.
• Mentor junior researchers and share knowledge.

Skills

RL theory

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Publications

Communication

Education

PhD or MSc in RL

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a visionary leader in the AI & Emerging Technologies landscape, is actively recruiting for an accomplished AI/ML Research Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL) . This role is based in Kimberley, Northern Cape, ZA , and presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research and development in advanced AI domains. You will be at the forefront of designing and implementing novel RL algorithms, exploring their applications in complex real-world scenarios, and pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical understanding and practical experience in RL, coupled with a passion for innovation and scientific rigor. Join a team dedicated to solving challenging problems and creating transformative AI solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in reinforcement learning, developing novel algorithms and techniques.
• Design and implement RL agents for complex decision‑making problems in various domains.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results, drawing insights to advance research directions.
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers to integrate RL solutions into practical applications.
• Publish research findings in top‑tier AI conferences and journals.
• Stay informed about the latest advancements in reinforcement learning and related fields.
• Develop robust simulation environments for training and evaluating RL agents.
• Contribute to the overall research strategy and technical direction of the AI team.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
• Ensure research outcomes are reproducible and well‑documented.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related quantitative field with a specialization in Reinforcement Learning.
• Proven track record of research in reinforcement learning, evidenced by publications in leading conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) or journals.
• Strong theoretical foundation in RL concepts, including value-based methods, policy gradients, and model-based RL.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience in implementing and experimenting with RL algorithms.
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex research ideas.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
• Experience with simulation environments and game AI is a plus.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa and reside in Kimberley, Northern Cape, ZA.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a generous base salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• Employees benefit from ample paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.
• The company fosters a culture of continuous learning, offering support for professional development through workshops, conferences, and further education.
• Access to state-of-the‑art research facilities and computing resources is standard.
• This role provides unparalleled opportunities to work on challenging, frontier AI research.
• A retirement savings plan with employer matching is available.
• The dynamic work environment encourages innovation and scientific exploration.