Principal AI Research Scientist - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Conference travel funding

Computing resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal AI Research Scientist (Reinforcement Learning) to lead pioneering RL research in Kimberley, Northern Cape. You will direct ambitious projects, mentor researchers, and drive collaborations that push the boundaries of AI theory and applications.

The role involves shaping long-term RL agendas, publishing in premier venues, and guiding a world-class research team in a state-of-the-art environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field with RL focus.
• 10+ years of RL research with high-impact publications.
• Deep RL theory: value-based methods, policy gradients, actor-critic, exploration.
• Experience implementing RL algorithms in Python with TF/PyTorch/JAX.
• Experience with simulation environments (Gym, MuJoCo) or robotics.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration.
• Ability to lead independent research initiatives and mentor junior researchers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct cutting-edge RL research and develop novel algorithms.
• Define and execute ambitious research projects with breakthroughs.
• Mentor a team of AI researchers and engineers.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on advanced AI topics.
• Publish findings in top AI conferences and journals.
• Develop and prototype RL algorithms with simulations or real systems.
• Stay at the forefront of RL research and identify opportunities.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the AI research group.
• Present findings to academic peers and industry leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

PhD in CS/AI/Math with RL focus

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

JAX

OpenAI Gym

MuJoCo

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned research institution dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal AI Research Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join their elite team in Kimberley, Northern Cape . This is a leadership role focused on pioneering novel RL algorithms and applications that can tackle some of the most complex challenges in areas like robotics, autonomous systems, and optimization. You will lead research initiatives, mentor junior scientists, and contribute significantly to the scientific community through publications and collaborations. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical understanding of RL, a proven track record of impactful research, and the ability to drive ambitious, long-term research agendas. This is an unparalleled opportunity for a visionary researcher to make a profound impact on the future of AI and to work in a highly stimulating, state-of-the-art research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct cutting-edge research in Reinforcement Learning, developing novel algorithms and theoretical frameworks.
• Define and execute ambitious research projects with the potential for significant scientific breakthroughs.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI researchers and engineers working on RL projects.
• Collaborate with internal and external research partners on advanced AI topics.
• Publish research findings in top-tier AI conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
• Develop and prototype RL algorithms, often involving complex simulations or real-world systems.
• Stay at the forefront of RL research, identifying emerging trends and opportunities.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the AI research group.
• Present research findings to diverse audiences, from academic peers to industry leaders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, or a related field with a primary focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• 10+ years of extensive research experience in Reinforcement Learning, demonstrated through high-impact publications and contributions to the field.
• Deep theoretical understanding of RL concepts, including value-based methods, policy gradients, actor-critic methods, and exploration strategies.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing complex RL algorithms in Python using frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Experience with simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo) and/or robotics is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to think creatively and drive independent research initiatives.
• Track record of successfully mentoring junior researchers.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and significant research funding.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous support for conference travel and research dissemination.
• Access to world-class computing resources and research facilities.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking AI research with global impact.
• Intellectually stimulating and collaborative environment in Kimberley .
• Potential for leadership roles in shaping future AI research directions.