Research Scientist-Generative & Applied Machine Learning

Summary

Join M-KOPA's Data Science team in a fully remote role, bridging cutting-edge machine learning research with social impact. Develop sophisticated models driving financial inclusion and solving complex business challenges. Conduct research directly influencing products used by millions, tackling sophisticated machine learning challenges, and exploring novel methods while collaborating internationally. Publish research papers, attend conferences, and collaborate with academic institutions. Join a carbon-negative organization driving digital and financial inclusion. This role harmonizes scientific excellence with humanitarian impact, allowing your intellectual curiosity to lead to meaningful change.

Requirements

• Advanced expertise in machine learning, mathematics, statistics, and theoretical computer science
• Experience or academic publication in generative modelling (e.g., VAEs, GANs, diffusion models, or related methods)
• Strong publication record in prestigious conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR)
• Proven ability to translate academic research into practical, impactful algorithms
• Experience with deep learning, reinforcement learning, or other specialized machine learning domains
• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
• This is a fully remote role , you would be working within the following time zone (UTC -1 / UTC+3) with a diverse group of other employees working remotely from locations such as UK, Europe and Africa
• You will be reporting to the Head of Data Science

Responsibilities

• Conduct research that immediately influences products and services used by millions, creating measurable social and economic benefits
• Tackle sophisticated machine learning challenges that push both theoretical boundaries and business performance
• Enjoy the freedom to explore novel methods while collaborating internationally with colleagues from Europe and the UK to Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana
• Publish influential research papers, attend leading conferences, and collaborate with prestigious academic institutions
• Prototype, test, and iterate advanced models, integrating state-of-the-art academic insights into practical solutions
• Your research will directly influence strategic decisions, optimize product performance, and shape the future direction of M-KOPA's offerings
• Working remotely within the UTC-1 to UTC+3 time zone, you'll collaborate with talented colleagues in Product, Engineering, Operations, and Strategy
• Your solutions won't just address immediate business problems—they'll establish M-KOPA as a thought leader in applying sophisticated machine learning to real-world challenges

Benefits

• At M-KOPA, we empower our people to own their careers through diverse development programs, coaching partnerships, and on-the-job training
• We support individual journeys with family-friendly policies, prioritize well-being, and embrace flexibility