Director - Research and Development

About Inception42

Inception42, a subsidiary of G42, stands as a premier innovator in AI-driven domain-specific and cross-industry products. Drawing on a strong foundation of research and development, it operates as a central intelligence hub within the G42 ecosystem, converting data and computational resources into tangible AI applications. Beyond business, the company is committed to generating beneficial societal impacts.

Role Overview

The company is looking for a seasoned Director of Research and Development (R&D) specializing in Applied AI to lead its research efforts. This influential position entails directing several flagship projects simultaneously—such as developing foundation language models and exploring multi-agent systems—while also managing crucial client delivery teams that translate research into operational products. This role demands presentation and decision-making at the highest management levels and close collaboration with strategic partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the active applied AI research portfolio, including setting the technical vision, planning milestones, allocating resources, and conducting quarterly performance reviews.
• Oversee the entire foundation language model program from pre-training and post-training refinements to evaluation of language quality, multilingual capabilities, safety, and eventual release.
• Supervise critical client delivery pathways and conduct frequent progress assessments with R&D teams, addressing obstacles and reallocating resources as necessary.
• Represent the R&D function in forums involving the CEO, executive group, and Board members, delivering compelling presentations and updates.
• Maintain and cultivate strategic external partnerships such as academic institutions, advanced model laboratories, hyperscaler alliances, safety teams, and evaluation vendors; lead collaborative initiatives to completion.
• Guide a team of applied scientists and senior applied scientists through mentorship, performance assessments, recruitment, and team structuring aligned with talent strategies.
• Establish and maintain R&D quality standards across all projects and teams.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related AI discipline, ideally with focus on natural language processing (NLP), large language models, or applied machine learning.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in AI or machine learning, including a minimum of four years in a leadership or director capacity managing multiple research programs.
• Proven end-to-end ownership of at least one foundation-model release in a production environment.
• A robust track record of research publication in notable NLP or ML conferences or demonstrable success in product-focused research and intellectual property filings.
• Experience with large-scale NLP deployments for Arabic or other low-resource languages.
• Familiarity with deploying AI models within regulated environments such as government contexts, including expertise in content moderation and policy alignment.
• Practical knowledge of agentic AI systems involving planning, tool integration, and simulations of multiple agents.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

Why Join Inception42

Inception42 offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI development focused on scalable, practical applications across various sectors and national initiatives. The company values performance-driven, curious individuals who thrive amid ambiguity and who seek to innovate collaboratively, with a deep commitment to customer-centric solutions and pioneering AI advancements.

Work Culture and Benefits

• A diverse, inclusive, and open culture encouraging personal and professional growth.
• Exceptional learning opportunities through structured training and cutting-edge projects.
• Competitive compensation with benefits such as healthcare, education support, and generous leave policies.

Application Guidance

Qualified candidates demonstrating the required experience and skills are encouraged to apply promptly for consideration.