Lead AI Research Scientist

Our client, a pioneering technology firm at the forefront of artificial intelligence, is seeking an exceptional Lead AI Research Scientist to join their fully remote team. This senior position will involve spearheading innovative research and development initiatives in areas such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. You will be instrumental in defining research roadmaps, designing advanced algorithms, and guiding the implementation of cutting‑edge AI solutions.

The ideal candidate possesses a profound theoretical understanding of AI and ML principles, coupled with practical experience in developing and deploying complex AI models. You will collaborate with a globally distributed, talented team of engineers and researchers, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI from your home office, contributing to transformative technologies.

• Lead and mentor a team of AI/ML researchers and engineers in defining and executing research objectives.
• Design, develop, and implement novel AI and machine learning algorithms and models.
• Conduct in-depth research into emerging AI technologies and their potential applications.
• Collaborate with product teams to translate research breakthroughs into practical, deployable AI solutions.
• Publish research findings in top-tier AI conferences and journals, and contribute to patent applications.
• Develop and maintain robust experimental frameworks for evaluating AI models and systems.
• Stay at the cutting edge of AI research, identifying new opportunities and driving innovation.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the AI research division.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

• A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant research experience, with a strong publication record in leading AI conferences/journals.
• Proven experience in leading research teams and projects.
• Deep expertise in machine learning, deep learning (CNNs, RNNs, Transformers), and related areas.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and extensive experience with ML frameworks (e.g., Tensor Flow, PyTorch).
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed computing is essential.
• Strong theoretical understanding of AI fundamentals and mathematics (linear algebra, calculus, probability, statistics).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation.
• Outstanding communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to thrive in a remote work environment.
• Experience in NLP, computer vision, or reinforcement learning is highly valued.

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, flexible working hours, and generous professional development allowances. As a fully remote role, this position offers unparalleled flexibility and autonomy. You will be part of a world‑class research team, working on groundbreaking AI projects that have global impact, from anywhere in South Africa .

• highly competitive salary
• comprehensive benefits package including health insurance
• flexible working hours
• generous professional development allowances
• full remote role