Senior AI Research Scientist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness programs

Professional development

State‑of‑the‑art technology access

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior AI Research Scientist to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence. The role focuses on developing novel algorithms and models addressing real‑world challenges, shaping future AI initiatives, and contributing to product development.

You will work with cutting‑edge technologies and collaborate with leading minds in the field, based in Rustenburg, North West, South Africa. A strong research background and publication track record are essential for success.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in CS/AI/ML or related quantitative field.
• Strong research record with publications, patents, or major open‑source contributions.
• Expertise in at least one major AI subfield (DL, NLP, CV, RL, or generative models).

Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced ML models with emphasis on DL/NLP/CV.
• Research emerging AI trends and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Collaborate with engineers and product managers to deploy scalable AI solutions.
• Analyze large datasets to train, validate, and improve models.
• Publish findings in top conferences/journals and contribute to IP.
• Mentor junior researchers and nurture AI research culture.
• Stay updated on AI advances and assess practical impact.
• Ensure ethical and responsible AI development and deployment.

Skills

Python

Deep learning

NLP

Computer vision

Reinforcement learning

Generative models

Statistical modeling

Data mining

Optimization

Communication

Education

PhD or Master’s in CS/AI/ML

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the field of artificial intelligence, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior AI Research Scientist to join their dynamic team. This pivotal role will involve pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities, focusing on developing novel algorithms and models that address complex real-world challenges. You will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of our client's AI initiatives, contributing to groundbreaking research and product development. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technologies and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. The role is based in Rustenburg, North West, ZA, offering a stimulating environment for professional growth and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced machine learning models and algorithms, with a particular focus on deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
• Conduct in-depth research into emerging AI trends and technologies, identifying opportunities for application and innovation within our client's portfolio.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers and product managers, to translate research findings into practical, scalable AI solutions.
• Analyze large datasets to extract meaningful insights, train models, and validate performance.
• Publish research findings in top-tier academic conferences and journals, and contribute to intellectual property development.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to building a strong AI research culture within the organization.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI and machine learning, and critically evaluate their potential impact and applicability.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI systems.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven track record of research and development in AI/ML, demonstrated through publications, patents, or significant contributions to open-source projects.
• Expertise in at least one major AI subfield such as deep learning, NLP, computer vision, reinforcement learning, or generative models.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and experience with deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, data mining, and algorithmic optimization techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to tackle complex, ill-defined problems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with large-scale datasets and distributed computing environments is a plus.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) for AI/ML workloads.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• A generous annual leave allowance
• Comprehensive health and wellness programs
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development through conferences and training
• A stimulating work environment with access to state-of-the-art technology
• A retirement savings plan