Director of Research and Development - Applied AI

About Inception

Inception, part of the G42 ecosystem, leads the region in pioneering AI-driven products that span domain-specific and industry-wide applications, leveraging a strong history of research and innovation. Serving as the central intelligence layer within G42, it transforms data and computational infrastructure into practical AI solutions. Committed to positive societal impacts, Inception continues to advance AI frontiers.

Role Overview

We are looking for a highly experienced Director of R&D in Applied Artificial Intelligence to helm a multi-faceted research portfolio. This pivotal position drives the technical vision across leading projects including foundational language models and multi-agent systems, while also overseeing critical client-focused initiatives that transition research into operational products.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the comprehensive applied research portfolio, including roadmap development, milestone setting, resource distribution, and conducting quarterly evaluations.
• Lead the end-to-end development of foundational language models, covering all phases from pre-training to release and evaluation (language capability, multilingual metrics, and safety compliance).
• Supervise high-priority client delivery projects with regular reviews addressing progress, challenges, and resource adjustments.
• Act as the primary representative for Inception R&D at senior executive and Board meetings, delivering influential presentations.
• Manage strategic external collaborations with academic partners, leading AI labs, cloud service providers, safety teams, and evaluation vendors, driving workstreams to completion.
• Guide a team of applied scientists through mentorship, performance management, recruitment, and strategic workforce planning.
• Establish and uphold research quality standards across all projects and teams.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related AI discipline, ideally specialized in NLP, large language models, or applied machine learning.
• At least 10 years' experience in AI/ML, including a minimum of 4 years in leadership directing multiple research programs concurrently.
• Proven track record owning an entire production release of a foundation model.
• Strong academic publication history in leading NLP/ML forums or equivalent achievements in product-focused research including intellectual property filings.
• Experience implementing large-scale NLP models for lower-resource languages such as Arabic.
• Familiarity with AI deployment within regulatory or government frameworks, including content moderation and policy-compliant safeguards.
• Practical knowledge of agentic AI systems involving planning, tool utilization, and multi-agent simulations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Desired Traits

We seek a results-oriented, curious professional who thrives in dynamic environments and embraces ambiguity. Candidates should be proactive in establishing meaningful collaborations and passionate about advancing innovative, customer-focused AI solutions.

Work Environment and Benefits

• A diverse, inclusive workplace fostering personal and professional growth with a commitment to pioneering AI advancements.
• Exceptional opportunities for skill development through structured learning and cutting-edge projects.
• Competitive salary and benefits package including healthcare, educational support, and generous leave policies.