Remote Senior AI Research Scientist - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health insurance

Annual professional development budget

State-of-the-art tools and compute

Remote-friendly culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior AI Research Scientist specializing in reinforcement learning to join a fully remote team. You will develop novel RL algorithms and apply them to robotics, autonomous systems, and game theory, collaborating with world-class researchers.

The role demands a PhD or MSc with 5+ years of RL research, deep RL expertise, and strong Python/TensorFlow/PyTorch skills. Remote work and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in CS/ML/AI with strong RL focus.
• 5+ years of RL research with notable publications.
• Expertise in deep RL algorithms (DQN, PPO, A3C, SAC) and practical implementation.
• Proficiency in Python and frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Experience with simulation environments and RL benchmarks.
• Strong mathematical and statistical background.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills; able to work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental and applied RL research and develop new algorithms.
• Design, implement, and evaluate RL agents for complex tasks.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to integrate RL solutions.
• Publish findings in top conferences and journals.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to technical leadership.
• Develop prototypes and proof-of-concepts to demonstrate RL approaches.
• Contribute to strategic RL research roadmap.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Academic research

Python

Deep Learning

Remote work

Communication

Education

PhD in CS/ML/AI

MS in CS/ML/AI

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge firm in the AI and Emerging Technologies space, is seeking a Remote Senior AI Research Scientist with deep expertise in Reinforcement Learning (RL). This is a fully remote position, enabling you to contribute to our innovative projects from anywhere. You will be at the forefront of developing novel RL algorithms and applying them to solve complex, real-world challenges in areas such as robotics, autonomous systems, and game theory. This role requires a blend of strong theoretical understanding and practical implementation skills. Join our globally distributed team and collaborate with world-class researchers and engineers to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment where groundbreaking research can flourish.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental and applied research in reinforcement learning, developing new algorithms and methodologies.
• Design, implement, and evaluate RL agents for complex decision‑making tasks.
• Collaborate with other AI researchers and engineers to integrate RL solutions into various applications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in RL and related fields (e.g., deep learning, multi‑agent systems).
• Publish research findings in top-tier academic venues and contribute to the broader scientific community.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the overall technical leadership within the AI research team.
• Develop prototypes and proof‑of‑concepts to demonstrate the efficacy of new RL approaches.
• Contribute to the strategic vision and roadmap for RL research within the organization.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related quantitative field with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• 5+ years of research experience in Reinforcement Learning, with a significant publication record in leading conferences/journals.
• Proven expertise in deep RL algorithms (e.g., DQN, PPO, A3C, SAC) and their practical implementation.
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Experience with simulation environments and RL benchmarks.
• Strong mathematical and statistical background.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a remote team setting.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying complex research ideas clearly.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous retirement savings plan.
• We provide a flexible work environment that prioritizes work‑life balance.
• Employees receive an annual budget for professional development, including conferences, workshops, and courses.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art research tools and significant computational resources is provided.
• Join our innovative team and contribute to impactful research from your chosen location.
• This role provides substantial opportunities for professional growth and recognition within the AI community.
• We are dedicated to supporting our remote employees and ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed.