Lead AI Research Scientist - Machine Learning Applications

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Remote work

Healthcare & retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead AI Research Scientist to spearhead innovative ML initiatives. This remote-first role leads a team of researchers, architecting advanced models for drug discovery, materials science, and climate modeling.

The role demands a PhD/MSc with 7+ years in AI/ML research, strong leadership and publication history, and proficiency in Python with TensorFlow/PyTorch. Global collaboration and open-source contributions are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Computer Science, AI, ML, Statistics, or related field with strong ML focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead research, development, and deployment of AI/ML models for scientific applications.
• Define research roadmaps aligned with company objectives.
• Mentor AI/ML engineers and researchers.
• Design scalable ML pipelines for data processing, training, and inference.
• Conduct rigorous experiments and validate AI models.
• Collaborate with domain experts to identify AI opportunities.

Skills

Strong ML theory

Leadership/mentorship

Python programming

TensorFlow/PyTorch

Distributed computing

Research publications

Education

PhD or MSc in CS/AI/ML

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking leader in Scientific Research & Development, is seeking an exceptional Lead AI Research Scientist to spearhead innovative machine learning initiatives. This is a fully remote, high-impact position designed for individuals who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence in scientific applications. You will lead a team of talented researchers, architecting and implementing advanced ML models to solve complex problems in areas such as drug discovery, materials science, and climate modeling. The role requires a deep understanding of AI/ML theory and practical experience in deploying solutions. As a remote-first role, you will benefit from the flexibility and autonomy of working from anywhere, while collaborating with a world-class team. While the operational base for this role might be considered near Centurion, Gauteng, ZA, your work will be conducted entirely remotely, enabling access to global talent.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research, development, and deployment of cutting-edge AI and Machine Learning models for scientific applications.
• Define research roadmaps and strategies in alignment with the company's scientific objectives.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI/ML engineers and researchers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Design and implement scalable ML pipelines for data processing, model training, and inference.
• Conduct rigorous experimentation and validation of AI models, ensuring robustness and accuracy.
• Collaborate with domain experts across various scientific disciplines to identify new opportunities for AI integration.
• Stay at the forefront of AI research, exploring new algorithms, techniques, and frameworks.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and research findings effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to open-source projects and scientific publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related field with a strong ML focus.
• Proven experience (7+ years) in AI/ML research and development, with a significant portion in a leadership or principal role.
• Deep understanding of various ML algorithms (e.g., deep learning, reinforcement learning, statistical modeling) and their practical applications.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and experience with ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed computing environments.
• Strong understanding of scientific domains (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics) is highly desirable.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research projects from conception to deployment in a remote setting.
• Strong publication record in top-tier AI/ML conferences and journals.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits.
• Significant stock options and equity grants.
• Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and learning resources.
• Fully remote work environment with flexible hours.
• Opportunity to lead transformative AI research projects with significant real-world impact.
• Access to cutting-edge computational infrastructure and data resources.