Senior AI Research Scientist - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Performance-based bonuses

Hybrid work arrangement

Remote flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior AI Research Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning, to lead fundamental RL research and develop novel algorithms. The role is based in Polokwane, Limpopo, offering collaboration with a world-class team and opportunities to publish in leading venues.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD with 7+ years in AI/ML research, strong RL theory and practice, and a proven publication record. Hybrid work is available with strong computational resources.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, AI, Robotics or related field.
• 7+ years of AI/ML research experience with focus on RL.
• Strong publication record in top AI/ML venues.
• Excellent collaboration and mentorship abilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge RL research and develop novel algorithms.
• Design, implement and evaluate RL agents for real-world problems.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to integrate RL into systems.
• Publish findings in top AI conferences and journals.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers and drive innovation.
• Stay updated with advances in RL, DL, and AI.
• Contribute to RL research roadmaps and strategic directions.
• Develop robust simulation environments for RL testing.
• Present results to diverse internal and external audiences.

Skills

7+ years AI/ML research

Reinforcement Learning

Publication track record

Mentorship & collaboration

Education

PhD in CS/AI/Robotics

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

RLlib

Stable Baselines

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in AI & Emerging Technologies, is seeking a brilliant and innovative Senior AI Research Scientist with a specialization in Reinforcement Learning (RL). This role, based in Polokwane, Limpopo, will drive fundamental research and development in RL, creating novel algorithms and applications that push the boundaries of intelligent systems. You will work on challenging problems, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in autonomous systems, robotics, and complex decision-making processes. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned researcher to lead impactful projects, collaborate with a world-class team, and publish pioneering work in leading AI conferences and journals. The ideal candidate possesses a strong theoretical foundation in RL, coupled with practical experience in implementing and experimenting with advanced RL algorithms.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in Reinforcement Learning, developing novel algorithms and techniques.
• Design, implement, and evaluate RL agents for complex real-world problems in areas such as robotics, control systems, optimization, and gaming.
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers to integrate RL solutions into larger systems.
• Publish research findings in top-tier AI conferences and journals.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering innovation.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in RL, deep learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Contribute to the definition of research roadmaps and strategic directions for RL initiatives.
• Develop and maintain robust simulation environments for training and testing RL agents.
• Present research results internally and externally to diverse audiences.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, or a related field, with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• Minimum of 7 years of research experience in AI/ML, with at least 5 years dedicated to Reinforcement Learning.
• A strong publication record in reputable AI/ML conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AAAI).
• Deep understanding of RL concepts, algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, policy gradients, actor-critic methods), and their theoretical underpinnings.
• Proficiency in deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) and programming languages (e.g., Python).
• Experience with RL libraries and tools (e.g., RLlib, Stable Baselines).
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience in applying RL to practical problems is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, generous performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement contributions. You will have access to significant computational resources, opportunities for continuous professional development, and the chance to work on highly impactful research. This hybrid role allows for a balance of in-office collaboration in Polokwane, Limpopo, and remote flexibility. Join a leading research team pushing the frontiers of AI.