Senior AI Research Scientist - NLP & Generative Models

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Health benefits

Remote-friendly policy

Conference attendance

Research infrastructure

Learning stipend

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Senior AI Research Scientist to join a fully remote team. You will lead cutting-edge NLP and generative AI projects, design and evaluate large-scale models, and publish in top venues.

You will mentor researchers, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to open-source tools while enjoying a flexible remote policy and strong research resources.

Qualifications

• PhD in CS/AI/linguistics with NLP focus.
• Proven impactful research in NLP and/or generative models with publications.
• Strong ML fundamentals in statistics and optimization.
• Proficiency in Python and DL frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in NLP and Generative Models.
• Develop and implement novel language understanding, generation, and reasoning algorithms.
• Design, train, and evaluate large-scale NLP models, including transformer-based architectures and LLMs.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to translate breakthroughs into applications.
• Publish results in NeurIPS, ICML, ACL, EMNLP and journals.
• Stay updated on advancements in NLP, generative AI, and related fields.
• Mentor junior researchers and interns, fostering a strong research culture.
• Contribute to open-source tools and datasets.
• Present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Explore novel applications of NLP and generative models across domains.

Skills

NLP & Generative AI

Python

PyTorch

Deep Learning

Distributed Training

RLHF

Education

PhD in Computer Science/AI/Linguistics with NLP focus

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Horovod

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a world-renowned research institution pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence, particularly in the areas of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Generative Models. We are looking for an exceptional Senior AI Research Scientist to join our fully remote team and contribute to groundbreaking advancements. This role offers the unique opportunity to conduct high-impact research, develop novel algorithms, and publish findings in top-tier academic venues. You will be at the forefront of innovation, working on challenging problems that have the potential to redefine human-computer interaction and knowledge creation. If you possess a deep theoretical understanding and practical expertise in NLP and generative AI, and are driven by scientific discovery, this position is an unparalleled opportunity. Join us in shaping the future of intelligent language systems from the comfort of your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in Natural Language Processing and Generative Models.
• Develop and implement novel algorithms for language understanding, generation, and reasoning.
• Design, train, and evaluate large-scale NLP models, including transformer-based architectures and large language models (LLMs).
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers to translate research breakthroughs into practical applications.
• Publish research results in leading AI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ACL, EMNLP) and journals.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in NLP, generative AI, and related fields.
• Mentor junior researchers and interns, fostering a strong research culture.
• Contribute to the development of open-source tools and datasets.
• Present research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Explore novel applications of NLP and generative models in various domains.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics, or a related field with a strong focus on NLP.
• A proven track record of impactful research in NLP and/or Generative Models, demonstrated by publications in top-tier venues.
• Deep understanding of machine learning, deep learning, and statistical modeling principles.
• Expertise in transformer architectures, attention mechanisms, and large language models.
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed training techniques.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fully remote research environment.
• Experience with reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and significant research-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and flexible remote working policy.
• Opportunities for professional growth, attending leading conferences worldwide.
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and computational resources.
• Stimulating and intellectually challenging research environment.
• Contribution to world-class research with potential for significant societal impact.
• Retirement savings plan with excellent matching contributions.
• Support for continued learning and skill development.
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading minds in the AI field.