Lead AI Research Scientist - Generative Models

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity potential

Health, dental & vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Virtual training & conferences

Remote-friendly environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead AI Research Scientist specializing in Generative Models for a fully remote position. You will steer research initiatives, develop novel models (GANs, VAEs, Transformers), and collaborate with a distributed team of researchers and engineers worldwide.

The role requires a PhD or equivalent, a strong publication record, and fluency with PyTorch or TensorFlow. You will mentor junior scientists, define roadmaps, evaluate models, and contribute to open-source projects

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research experience in CS/AI/ML.
• Publications in top conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR).
• Experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Strong Python programming with relevant libraries.
• Ability to lead research projects and teams.
• Distributed training experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects in generative AI (GANs, VAEs, diffusion, LLMs).
• Develop novel algorithms and architectures for data generation (text, images, audio).
• Publish findings in top venues and contribute to open-source.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to productionize research.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers.
• Define research roadmaps and strategic AI direction.
• Evaluate and benchmark models for performance and quality.
• Collaborate with academic institutions.

Skills

Generative AI research

Python programming

Distributed training

Remote teamwork

Leadership

Publications

Education

PhD in CS/AI/ML

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking leader in AI & Emerging Technologies, is seeking an innovative Lead AI Research Scientist specializing in Generative Models for a fully remote position. This is a unique opportunity to lead cutting-edge research and development in the rapidly evolving field of generative AI. You will be responsible for driving research initiatives, developing novel models, and contributing to groundbreaking advancements that will shape the future of artificial intelligence. As a remote-first role, you will have the autonomy to work from anywhere while collaborating with a globally distributed team of top-tier researchers and engineers.

The ideal candidate will have a profound understanding of deep learning, with a specific focus on models like GANs, VAEs, and Transformers for text, image, or audio generation. You will lead research projects from conception to publication or product integration, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to the strategic direction of our AI research efforts. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment. While the role is remote, the core research impetus often connects back to the **Paarl** region, reflecting a hub of innovation within our network, and driving global impact from a distributed base.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research projects in the area of generative AI, including GANs, VAEs, diffusion models, and large language models.
• Develop and implement novel algorithms and architectures for generating realistic and coherent data (text, images, audio, etc.).
• Stay at the forefront of research by reading academic papers and attending conferences.
• Publish research findings in top-tier venues and contribute to the broader AI community.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate research prototypes into production-ready systems.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and engineers in the team.
• Define research roadmaps and contribute to the strategic vision of AI development.
• Evaluate and benchmark generative models for performance and quality.
• Contribute to open-source projects and foster collaborations with academic institutions.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent research experience in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• Demonstrated track record of research in generative models, evidenced by publications in top conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR).
• Expertise in deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with relevant libraries.
• Deep understanding of the theory and practice of various generative model architectures.
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed training is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for remote teamwork.
• Ability to work independently and manage research projects effectively.
• Experience in leading research teams is highly desirable.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a generous salary, performance bonuses, and potential equity. Employees receive comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, along with retirement savings plans. We are committed to fostering continuous learning and development, providing access to virtual training, workshops, and opportunities to present at international conferences. The flexibility of remote work allows for an excellent work-life balance. You will be part of a globally recognized research team, driving innovation in generative AI and making a tangible impact on the field, with research initiatives often tracing back to the **Paarl** innovation ecosystem.