Senior AI Research Scientist - Natural Language Processing

Placements24; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health/dental/vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Conference attendance support

Pension fund

Regular team events

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior AI Research Scientist to lead NLP research initiatives in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. You will work on advanced NLP tasks, design deep learning models, and collaborate with engineers to translate research into practical AI solutions.

The role offers opportunities to publish at major conferences, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to innovative, high-impact projects within a supportive research environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Computer Science/AI or related quantitative field.
• Strong publication record in top NLP/ML conferences (ACL, EMNLP, NeurIPS, ICML).
• Proficiency with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Expertise in Python with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge NLP research, including text generation, sentiment analysis, machine translation, and question answering.
• Design, implement, and evaluate deep learning models and architectures (Transformers, LSTMs, CNNs).
• Process, clean, and analyze large-scale text datasets to extract insights.
• Collaborate with software engineers and product managers to deploy AI solutions in real-world apps.
• Publish research findings in top journals and present at international conferences.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to IP development.
• Develop robust research prototypes and production-ready code.
• Evaluate model performance using established metrics and benchmarks.

Skills

NLP research

Deep learning

Python

Transformers

Education

PhD or Master’s in CS/AI

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

Hugging Face

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge AI research firm, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior AI Research Scientist to join their innovative team in **Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal**. This pivotal role will focus on advancing the frontiers of Natural Language Processing (NLP), contributing to groundbreaking projects that leverage deep learning and machine learning techniques. You will work with vast datasets, develop novel algorithms, and collaborate with a world-class team of researchers and engineers. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence within a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of AI and translating complex research into practical applications. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to present their findings at leading conferences and contribute to high-impact publications. This role offers a dynamic work environment where creativity and scientific rigor are highly valued. Embrace the chance to lead challenging projects and mentor junior researchers as part of your growth trajectory.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in Natural Language Processing, including areas such as text generation, sentiment analysis, machine translation, and question answering.
• Design, implement, and evaluate advanced machine learning models and algorithms, particularly deep learning architectures (e.g., Transformers, LSTMs, CNNs).
• Process, clean, and analyze large-scale text datasets to extract meaningful insights and identify patterns.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers and product managers, to integrate AI solutions into real-world applications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and NLP by reading research papers, attending conferences, and participating in workshops.
• Publish research findings in top-tier academic journals and present at international conferences.
• Mentor junior researchers and provide technical guidance to the team.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property and potential patent applications.
• Develop robust and scalable code for research prototypes and production systems.
• Evaluate and benchmark model performance using appropriate metrics and methodologies.

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 publication in top-tier NLP or Machine Learning conferences (e.g., ACL, EMNLP, NeurIPS, ICML).
• Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Expertise in Python programming and proficiency with relevant libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn).
• In-depth knowledge of NLP techniques and libraries (e.g., spaCy, NLTK, Hugging Face Transformers).
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed computing frameworks is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, with the capacity to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research initiatives and mentor junior team members.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development, including attending conferences and workshops.
• Access to state-of-the-art computing resources and research facilities.
• Collaborative and inclusive work culture that fosters innovation.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• Pension fund contributions.
• Regular team-building activities and social events.
• Support for further academic research and publication endeavours.