Lead AI Research Scientist - Remote

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 2,334,000 - 3,501,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Medical insurance

Professional development

Stock options

Flexible hours

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead AI Research Scientist to spearhead innovative projects in a fully remote research division. You will lead researchers and engineers, define research directions, and translate theory into practical solutions, publishing in top venues.

This is a globally distributed, remote-first role that values curiosity and scientific excellence. You will drive research in deep learning, RL, NLP, and computer vision; collaborate with product teams; and contribute to IP while mentoring

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science/Artificial Intelligence/ML or related field.
• 8+ years of AI/ML research, including lead/senior experience.
• Publications in top AI conferences and/or influential open-source contributions.
• Deep understanding of ML theory, algorithms, and frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Proven experience leading research projects from conception to completion.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills for diverse audiences.
• Experience working in a remote/distributed team environment.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, and relevant AI libraries.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a passion for discovery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of AI researchers and engineers.
• Define and drive the AI research agenda across DL, RL, NLP, and CV.
• Develop and implement novel AI models and algorithms.
• Conduct rigorous experiments and analysis to validate hypotheses.
• Publish high-quality papers in leading AI conferences and journals.
• Collaborate with product teams to translate research into real-world apps.
• Stay abreast of AI trends and opportunities in the field.
• Contribute to IP through patents and disclosures.
• Champion best practices in research methodology and reproducibility.

Skills

Leadership

Research leadership

ML theory

Communication

Remote collaboration

Analytical thinking

Mentoring

Python

Education

PhD in CS/AI/ML

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Python

C++

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering artificial intelligence research lab dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-art in machine learning and its applications. We are looking for an exceptional Lead AI Research Scientist to spearhead innovative projects within our fully remote research division. This role offers the unique opportunity to lead a talented team of researchers and engineers in exploring novel AI architectures, algorithms, and methodologies. As a remote-first company, we thrive on asynchronous collaboration, robust communication tools, and a culture that empowers individuals to contribute from anywhere in the world. You will be instrumental in defining research directions, translating complex theoretical concepts into practical solutions, and publishing your work in top-tier conferences and journals. This position is ideal for a visionary leader with a passion for AI and a desire to make a lasting impact on the future of technology. We value curiosity, creativity, and a drive for scientific excellence in a distributed work setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of AI researchers and engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Define and drive the research agenda in key areas of artificial intelligence, such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
• Develop and implement novel AI models and algorithms, pushing the boundaries of current capabilities.
• Conduct rigorous experimentation and analysis to validate research hypotheses and evaluate model performance.
• Publish high-quality research papers in leading AI conferences and journals, contributing to the global knowledge base.
• Collaborate with product teams to identify opportunities for translating research advancements into real-world applications.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in the AI field and identify emerging trends and opportunities for research.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio through patents and other disclosures.
• Champion best practices in research methodology, reproducibility, and code quality within the remote team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of research experience in AI/ML, with a significant portion in a lead or senior role.
• Demonstrated track record of impactful research, evidenced by publications in top-tier AI conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, ACL, etc.) and/or influential open-source contributions.
• Deep understanding of machine learning theory, algorithms, and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Proven experience in leading research projects from conception to completion, including managing timelines and deliverables.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience working effectively in a remote or distributed team environment.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, and relevant AI libraries.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a passion for scientific discovery.

Benefits

• Our client provides a highly competitive salary package, benchmarked against top global tech firms.
• As a fully remote position, we offer flexible working hours and support for home office setup.
• Employees receive comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with a generous retirement savings plan.
• We encourage continuous learning through access to online courses, workshops, and conference sponsorships.
• You'll benefit from a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and innovation.
• Opportunities for significant professional growth and career advancement within a rapidly evolving field are abundant.
• Paid time off and sick leave are provided to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
• Stock options may be offered depending on the role and candidate experience.