Principal AI Research Scientist - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Sandton; Hybride; ZAR 3 500 000 - 5 500 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary

Equity options

Health, dental & vision insurance

Conference travel & sabbaticals

Flexible work environment

Résumé du poste

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, seeks a Principal AI Research Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning. You will lead high-impact RL research, mentor a team of researchers, and drive innovations from labs to production, shaping the company’s AI roadmap.

You will publish in top venues, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to IP through patents. A strong track record in RL and leadership is essential for advancing complex, real-world challenges.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, AI, ML or related quantitative field with RL focus

Responsabilités

• Lead advanced RL research including deep RL, multi-agent RL, and inverse RL
• Develop novel RL algorithms and frameworks for complex decision tasks
• Design and run experiments to validate theoretical advances
• Collaborate with engineering to deploy research prototypes
• Publish findings at top AI conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR)
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers
• Stay updated on RL trends and breakthroughs
• Shape strategic direction of the AI research group
• Represent the company at scientific conferences and events

Connaissances

Reinforcement Learning

Leadership

Mentoring

Python

ML Frameworks

Formation

PhD in Computer Science / AI / ML

Outils

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Stable Baselines

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client is a global leader in AI innovation, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with cutting-edge research. We are seeking a highly accomplished Principal AI Research Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join our world-class research team. This role is pivotal in advancing our RL capabilities and applying them to solve some of the most challenging problems in complex domains. You will lead research initiatives, mentor junior scientists, and contribute significantly to our intellectual property through publications and patents. The position is based in the vibrant economic hub of Sandton, Gauteng , offering a stimulating environment for research and collaboration. Our client is dedicated to fostering a culture of scientific excellence, curiosity, and impact, providing researchers with the resources and freedom to explore novel ideas. You will work alongside leading experts in the field, contributing to breakthroughs that can redefine industries. We are looking for a visionary leader who can drive the state-of-the-art in reinforcement learning and translate research discoveries into practical, impactful solutions. Your expertise will be instrumental in shaping the future of AI at our organization and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct advanced research in reinforcement learning, including deep RL, multi-agent RL, and inverse RL.
• Develop novel RL algorithms and frameworks to address complex decision-making problems.
• Design and implement experiments to validate theoretical advancements.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to transition research prototypes into production systems.
• Publish research findings in top-tier AI conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
• Mentor and guide junior research scientists and engineers.
• Stay abreast of the latest research trends and breakthroughs in AI and RL.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the AI research group.
• Represent the company at scientific conferences and industry events.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• 10+ years of research experience in AI/ML, with a significant track record in RL.
• Proven expertise in developing and implementing RL algorithms, demonstrated through publications and/or impactful projects.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with ML/RL frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Stable Baselines).
• Deep understanding of theoretical concepts in RL, optimization, and probability.
• Experience with large-scale simulations and data analysis.Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and leadership abilities.
• Experience leading research projects and mentoring teams.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, significant performance-based bonuses, and equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• We offer generous opportunities for professional development, including conference travel, research sabbaticals, and continuous learning resources.
• Enjoy a flexible work environment and ample paid time off.
• A robust retirement savings plan with company match is available.
• Join our esteemed research team in Sandton, Gauteng , and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence.