Senior AI Research Scientist - Reinforcement Learning

Our client, a globally recognized leader in AI innovation, is seeking a brilliant Senior AI Research Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL) . This role, based in the vibrant academic hub of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , offers a hybrid work model, blending the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. You will be instrumental in pushing the frontiers of RL, tackling complex real-world problems that require advanced decision-making algorithms.

Your work will directly influence the development of intelligent systems across various domains. This is an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with world-class researchers and engineers, contribute to groundbreaking research, and publish in top-tier venues. You will be expected to define research directions and mentor junior team members.

• Conduct fundamental and applied research in reinforcement learning.
• Develop novel RL algorithms and frameworks for complex decision-making problems.
• Implement and evaluate RL models using state-of-the-art deep learning techniques.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate RL solutions into products and systems.
• Publish research findings in leading AI conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in RL and related fields.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the team's intellectual output.
• Design and conduct rigorous experiments to validate research hypotheses.
• Contribute to the strategic vision for RL research at Our client.

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Robotics, or a related field with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• Demonstrated research contributions in RL, evidenced by publications in top-tier conferences/journals.
• Expertise in deep reinforcement learning algorithms (e.g., DQN, PPO, SAC).
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with ML frameworks like Tensor Flow or PyTorch.
• Experience with simulation environments and applied RL problems is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly.
• Ability to thrive in a hybrid work environment, balancing independent work with team collaboration.

• Highly competitive salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plans.
• Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and research dissemination.
• Hybrid work arrangement promoting work-life balance.
• Access to world-class computing resources.
• Intellectually stimulating work environment with opportunities for groundbreaking discoveries.
• Stock options and other long-term incentives.