Principal AI Scientist (Deep Learning)

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible salary & bonus structure

Fully remote position

Health and welfare benefits

Retirement savings plan

Conference attendance support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal AI Scientist to lead cutting-edge deep learning research from a fully remote setup. The role focuses on advancing state-of-the-art in DL, guiding complex projects, mentoring researchers, and publishing in top conferences and journals.

Access to substantial compute and collaboration with a world-class AI team enables impactful work from home. The ideal candidate has a PhD in CS/AI/ML with 7+ years of deep learning experience, strong programming in Python, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, AI, ML or closely related field with strong specialization in Deep Learning.
• 7+ years of deep learning research experience with a strong publication record.
• Proficiency in TensorFlow and PyTorch; strong Python programming.
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed training.

Responsibilities

• Lead groundbreaking deep learning research across neural networks, transformers, and generative models.
• Design novel architectures and algorithms for production-ready systems.
• Mentor junior scientists and publish high-impact work in top conferences/journals.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate research into scalable solutions.
• Contribute to strategic direction of the AI research group.

Skills

Deep Learning

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Research leadership

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science / AI / ML

Tools

NumPy

SciPy

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in AI & Emerging Technologies, is actively seeking a Principal AI Scientist with deep expertise in Deep Learning to join their elite, fully remote research team. This senior role is critical for advancing the state‑of‑the‑art in deep learning applications and driving innovation across the company's AI initiatives. As a Principal Scientist, you will lead complex research projects, mentor other scientists, and publish influential work in top‑tier conferences and journals. This is a unique opportunity to work on challenging, impactful problems with access to significant computational resources and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in AI, all from the comfort of your home office. We are looking for a visionary leader with a strong theoretical background and practical experience in developing and deploying cutting‑edge deep learning models. Your work will directly influence the direction of our client's AI strategy and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in the field. This role offers unparalleled intellectual freedom and the chance to make a lasting contribution to artificial intelligence. The position is entirely remote, providing flexibility and work‑life balance while maintaining a high level of impact and collaboration within a world‑class team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead groundbreaking research in deep learning, including areas like neural networks, recurrent neural networks, transformers, and generative models.
• Design and develop novel deep learning architectures and algorithms to solve complex problems.
• Conduct rigorous experiments, analyze results, and interpret findings to drive research direction.
• Publish research papers in top‑tier AI conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
• Mentor and guide junior AI scientists and researchers.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate research breakthroughs into production‑ready systems.
• Stay ahead of the curve by continuously exploring new research trends and techniques in deep learning.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and technical direction of the AI research group.
• Present research findings to internal stakeholders and the broader scientific community.
• Foster a culture of innovation and scientific excellence within the research team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related field, with a strong specialization in Deep Learning.
• Extensive research experience (7+ years) in deep learning, demonstrated by a strong publication record in leading conferences/journals and impactful projects.
• Deep theoretical understanding and practical expertise in various deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Proficiency in Python and experience with scientific computing libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy).
• Experience with large‑scale data processing and distributed training environments.
• Proven ability to lead research initiatives and mentor team members.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex research concepts clearly.
• Ability to work independently and drive projects to completion in a remote setting.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This Principal AI Scientist role comes with an exceptionally competitive salary and bonus structure, reflecting the seniority and expertise required.
• As a fully remote position, you benefit from complete flexibility in your work location and schedule.
• Our client offers comprehensive health and wellness benefits, retirement savings plans, and generous support for professional development, including conference attendance and research grants.

You will join a world‑class research team, working on the most challenging problems in AI and contributing to significant technological advancements. This is an unparalleled opportunity for a leading AI researcher to make a profound impact from anywhere in the world.