Principal AI Researcher - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Research funding

Performance bonuses

Hybrid work in Sandton

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal AI Researcher with deep Reinforcement Learning expertise in Sandton, Gauteng. You will lead advanced RL research, design experiments, publish in top venues, and mentor researchers while shaping strategic AI directions in a hybrid work setting.

The role requires a PhD in CS/AI/ML with a distinguished RL publication record and proficiency in Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, and RL libraries, contributing to autonomous control and intelligent systems.

Qualifications

• PhD in CS/AI/ML with strong RL focus.
• Extensive RL research track record and publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead RL research projects, develop novel algorithms and frameworks.
• Design experiments in simulated and real environments to validate RL approaches.
• Publish findings at top AI conferences/journals (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers working on RL.
• Collaborate across teams to translate research into practical AI solutions.
• Represent the organization at conferences and contribute to the AI community.
• Explore RL applications in robotics, gaming, and autonomous agents.
• Contribute to strategic direction of AI research and ethical RL.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

RL theory

Experimentation

Mentorship

Communication

Education

PhD in Computer Science/AI/ML

Tools

OpenAI Gym

MuJoCo

Stable Baselines

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned research institution in artificial intelligence, is seeking a Principal AI Researcher with deep expertise in Reinforcement Learning (RL). This prestigious role is based in Sandton, Gauteng, ZA , offering a dynamic hybrid work environment. You will lead groundbreaking research initiatives, push the theoretical and practical boundaries of RL, and contribute to the development of intelligent systems capable of complex decision-making and autonomous control. This position is for an individual with a proven track record of significant contributions to the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advanced research projects in Reinforcement Learning, exploring novel algorithms, theoretical frameworks, and applications.
• Design and conduct experiments to validate new RL approaches in complex simulated and real-world environments.
• Publish research findings in top-tier AI conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and engineers working on RL projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research breakthroughs into practical AI solutions.
• Represent the organization at scientific conferences and contribute to the broader AI research community.
• Explore and develop innovative applications of RL in areas such as robotics, game playing, recommendation systems, and autonomous agents.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AI research within the organization.
• Ensure ethical considerations are integrated into RL research and development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• Extensive experience and a distinguished publication record in Reinforcement Learning research.
• Deep theoretical understanding of RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods, Model-Based RL).
• Proficiency in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with RL libraries and simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, Stable Baselines, MuJoCo).
• Strong mathematical foundation in linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics.
• Proven ability to lead research projects and mentor team members.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, significant research funding, performance bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Benefit from a stimulating hybrid work environment in Sandton, Gauteng, ZA , and collaborate with world-class researchers.
• This role provides unparalleled opportunities for intellectual growth, career advancement, and the chance to make lasting contributions to the field of artificial intelligence.
• Join us and shape the future of intelligent systems.