Principal AI Scientist - Generative Models & NLP

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level benefits package

Performance-based bonuses

Stock options

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Extensive paid time off and holidays

Fully remote work environment

Budget for professional development,C

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a visionary Principal AI Scientist to lead groundbreaking research in generative models and NLP. This fully remote role offers the flexibility to work from anywhere in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA, or across South Africa.

You will guide a team of researchers and engineers, shaping the future of AI with large language models and human-computer interaction. The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D., a strong publication record, and hands-on experience deploying state-of-the-art

Qualifications

• PhD in CS/AI/ML or related field required.
• Publication track record in top AI venues.
• Fluent Python with TensorFlow or PyTorch experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D in LLMs and diffusion models.
• Mentor AI researchers and engineers.
• Publish findings at top AI conferences.
• Collaborate with product to deploy models.
• Stay ahead of AI trends.

Skills

Generative AI

NLP

Python

Distributed training

Leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in CS/AI/ML

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

MLOps

Distributed systems

Job description

About the Role

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a visionary Principal AI Scientist to lead groundbreaking research and development in generative models and natural language processing. This is a fully remote position, offering the ultimate flexibility to work from anywhere in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA, or across South Africa. You will be instrumental in defining the future of AI by pushing the boundaries of what's possible with large language models, content generation, and human-computer interaction. The ideal candidate possesses a Ph.D. in a relevant field, a stellar publication record, and extensive hands-on experience in developing and deploying state-of-the-art generative AI systems. You will guide a team of talented researchers and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and scientific rigor. Our client is at the cutting edge of AI, and this role represents a unique opportunity to make a profound impact on the industry and shape the trajectory of artificial intelligence. We are looking for an inspiring leader who thrives in a remote-first setting, possesses exceptional problem‑solving skills, and is driven by a passion for discovery. Your leadership will be pivotal in driving our generative AI initiatives forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research and development efforts in generative models, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and diffusion models.
• Develop novel techniques for natural language understanding, generation, and interaction.
• Design and implement advanced algorithms for text generation, summarization, translation, and creative content creation.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI scientists and engineers, fostering their professional growth.
• Collaborate with product and engineering teams to translate research breakthroughs into practical applications and deployable models.
• Publish research findings in top‑tier AI conferences and journals.
• Stay at the forefront of AI research, identifying emerging trends and opportunities.
• Evaluate model performance, identify limitations, and develop strategies for improvement.
• Contribute to the intellectual property of the company through patents and publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computational Linguistics, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in generative models (LLMs, GANs, VAEs, diffusion models) and Natural Language Processing.
• Proven track record of research excellence, demonstrated through publications in leading AI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL) and journals.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed training environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and lead effectively in a fully remote setting.
• Experience with MLOps and deploying complex AI models is a plus.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and executive‑level benefits package.
• Generous performance‑based bonuses and stock options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Extensive paid time off and company holidays.
• Fully remote work environment, empowering unparalleled flexibility.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and research.
• Opportunity to lead high‑impact research with significant industry influence.
• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating virtual work culture.