Senior AI Researcher - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Híbrido; ZAR 1.000.000 - 1.600.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Remote-first work culture

Home office setup allowance

Conference funding and compute access

Global health coverage

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a Senior AI Researcher specializing in Reinforcement Learning to lead advanced research initiatives in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. You will conceptualize, design, and implement novel RL algorithms, build simulation environments, and publish high-impact results.

Join a world-class team, collaborate with engineers, and help shape the direction of AI innovations, while enjoying a remote-first work culture and strong professional development support.

Formación

• PhD in CS/AI with RL specialization.
• 7+ years AI/ML research experience, with 5+ years in RL.
• Proven publications in top AI venues.
• Strong Python programming and DL framework experience.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct cutting-edge RL research and develop novel algorithms.
• Design, implement, and evaluate RL agents in simulated environments.
• Develop benchmarks and datasets for RL evaluation.
• Publish findings in top AI conferences/journals.
• Mentor junior researchers and contributors to projects.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to deploy research成果.

Conocimientos

RL research

Python

Strong publication record

Analytical thinking

Educación

PhD in Computer Science / AI (RL focus)

Herramientas

TensorFlow

PyTorch

OpenAI Gym

Ray RLlib

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a leader in AI & Emerging Technologies, is seeking a highly skilled Senior AI Researcher to join their cutting-edge research team. This role is based in the picturesque coastal city of **Mossel Bay, Western Cape**, and focuses on advancing the field of Reinforcement Learning (RL). You will be responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and implementing novel RL algorithms and applying them to solve complex, real-world problems. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical understanding of RL, coupled with strong practical experience in algorithm development and experimentation. This is a unique opportunity to work on groundbreaking research, contribute to high-impact publications, and influence the direction of AI innovation within the company. The research conducted here will push the boundaries of intelligent systems, creating adaptable and efficient AI agents. You will collaborate with a team of world-class researchers and engineers, fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity and scientific rigor. The **Mossel Bay, Western Cape** location offers an inspiring setting for deep research and innovation, combining professional excellence with a high quality of life. Our client is dedicated to attracting and nurturing top talent in the AI domain.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in Reinforcement Learning, exploring new algorithms, techniques, and theoretical frameworks.
• Design, implement, and evaluate RL algorithms for complex control, optimization, and decision-making problems.
• Develop simulation environments and benchmark datasets for testing and validating RL agents.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to transition research prototypes into practical applications.
• Publish research findings in top-tier AI conferences and journals.
• Mentor junior researchers and interns, providing guidance and support.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in RL and related fields (e.g., deep learning, game theory).
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the AI research group.
• Present research ideas and results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Promote a culture of scientific rigor, reproducibility, and innovation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field with a specialization in Reinforcement Learning.
• Minimum of 7 years of research experience in AI/ML, with a significant focus (5+ years) on Reinforcement Learning.
• Proven track record of high-quality research, including publications in top AI venues.
• Expertise in various RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, policy gradients, actor-critic methods, model-based RL).
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with RL libraries and simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, Ray RLlib).
• Solid theoretical understanding of machine learning, probability, and optimization.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and lead research initiatives.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, benchmarked against global standards, along with significant research-driven bonuses.
• Employees receive comprehensive global health coverage, including mental health support, and an attractive retirement savings plan.
• We provide substantial funding for professional development, encouraging attendance at international conferences, research collaborations, and advanced training.
• This role is remote-first, offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Our client also provides a generous home office setup allowance and access to world-class computational resources.
• Join a leading research group in **Mossel Bay, Western Cape** and make a lasting impact on the future of AI.