Senior Cognitive Scientist - AI Research

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

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Cognitive Scientist to drive human-like AI research at our Centurion facility. Hybrid work blends on-site collaboration with remote research, focusing on cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and machine learning to advance AI reasoning and decision-making.

You will design computational models and experiments, publish findings, and help shape the research strategy within the Centurion team. A PhD with computational focus and extensive modeling experience are required.

Qualifications

• PhD required in a relevant field.
• Minimum 5 years of post-doctoral research in cognitive science or related area.
• Experience developing computational models of cognitive processes.
• Experience designing and conducting human or computational experiments.
• Strong analytical and communication skills for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research into human cognitive processes: learning, memory, perception, reasoning, and decision-making.
• Apply cognitive theories to inform AI system design and development.
• Develop computational models of cognitive functions for AI agents.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate cognitive capabilities of AI systems.
• Collaborate with ML engineers and AI researchers to integrate cognitive architectures.
• Analyze data and simulations to extract insights on AI behavior.
• Publish findings in leading AI and cognitive science venues.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AI research within the Centurion team.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Cognitive Modeling

Experimental Design

Data Analysis

Communication

Education

PhD in Cognitive Science / Psychology (computational)

Tools

Cognitive Modeling Software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in artificial intelligence research and development, is seeking a Senior Cognitive Scientist to contribute to their groundbreaking work in developing human-like AI. This role is based at their innovative research facility in Centurion, Gauteng , operating under a hybrid work model that blends on-site collaboration with remote flexibility. You will leverage principles from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and machine learning to design and evaluate AI systems that exhibit advanced reasoning, learning, and decision-making capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of AI by integrating insights from human cognition into artificial systems. The position requires a deep understanding of cognitive processes and their computational modeling, with a focus on practical AI applications developed in Centurion .

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research into human cognitive processes, including learning, memory, perception, reasoning, and decision-making.
• Apply cognitive theories and experimental findings to inform the design and development of artificial intelligence systems.
• Develop computational models of cognitive functions that can be implemented in AI agents.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate the cognitive capabilities and limitations of AI systems.
• Collaborate with machine learning engineers and AI researchers to integrate cognitive architectures into AI models.
• Analyze experimental data and simulation results to extract meaningful insights into AI behavior.
• Publish research findings in leading AI and cognitive science conferences and journals.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AI research within the Centurion team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, Psychology (with a computational focus), Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in cognitive science or computational cognitive modeling.
• Strong theoretical understanding of human cognition, including attention, memory, learning, and decision-making.
• Experience in developing computational models of cognitive processes (e.g., using Python, MATLAB, or specialized cognitive modeling software).
• Familiarity with machine learning techniques and AI concepts.
• Experience designing and conducting human or computational experiments.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting, balancing remote research with on-site collaboration in Centurion .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement planning, and generous professional development opportunities.
• Researchers have access to advanced computing resources and a dynamic, collaborative work environment at the Centurion facility.
• This role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of intelligent systems.