Principal AI Researcher

14 hours ago

Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa Placements24 Full-time

About the Role

Our client is at the vanguard of AI research and development, and we are seeking a distinguished Principal AI Researcher with expertise in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join our esteemed team. This pivotal role involves leading groundbreaking research initiatives, pushing the frontiers of RL theory and application. You will be instrumental in defining research directions, mentoring talented researchers, and publishing novel findings in top-tier venues. The position is based in Bloemfontein, a location that fosters a unique blend of academic rigor and practical innovation. We are looking for a visionary leader with a proven track record of significant contributions to the RL field. If you are driven by intellectual curiosity and a desire to make a profound impact on the future of artificial intelligence, this opportunity is for you. Join our client and help shape the next era of intelligent systems.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and conduct cutting-edge research in Reinforcement Learning and its applications.
  • Define and drive research agendas, exploring novel RL algorithms, theory, and frameworks.
  • Mentor and guide a team of AI researchers and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation.
  • Publish research findings in leading AI conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
  • Collaborate with product teams to translate research breakthroughs into practical, scalable AI solutions.
  • Represent the company at international conferences and workshops, sharing expertise in RL.
  • Develop and maintain high-quality research code and documentation.
  • Stay ahead of the curve on the latest advancements in AI and RL.
  • Contribute to the strategic vision for AI research within the Bloemfontein hub.

Requirements

  • PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in AI research, with a substantial portfolio of impactful work in RL.
  • Deep theoretical understanding and practical experience with various RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods, model-based RL).
  • Proven ability to design, implement, and evaluate complex RL systems.
  • Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
  • Track record of publications in top-tier AI conferences and journals.
  • Strong leadership and mentorship skills.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
  • Effective communication and presentation skills.
  • Experience with simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo) is a plus.

Benefits

  • Exceptional salary and comprehensive benefits package.
  • Generous research budget and access to advanced computing resources.
  • Significant opportunities for professional growth and impact.
  • Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
  • Relocation assistance to Bloemfontein if needed.
  • Exposure to challenging and impactful research problems.
  • A vibrant and collaborative research community.
  • Paid attendance to leading AI conferences.