Senior Data Scientist (Insurance Analytics)

Placements24; Kimberley; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Fully remote with flexible schedule

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist with expertise in insurance analytics to work remotely. You will develop predictive models for pricing, risk, churn, and fraud, and lead cross-functional analytics projects with actuaries, underwriters, and product managers.

You will leverage large datasets, design experiments, and present insights to stakeholders. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in data science within insurance and strong ML, ML libraries, and SQL skills.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field required.
• 5+ years of professional data science experience in insurance analytics.
• Proficient in statistical modelling, ML techniques, and deep learning.
• Proficient in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
• Strong SQL skills for data extraction and manipulation.
• Experience with Spark or Hadoop is a plus.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and ML algorithms for insurance analytics.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and drivers in insurance markets.
• Build models for risk, pricing, churn, and fraud detection.
• Design and run experiments and A/B tests to evaluate features.
• Collaborate with actuaries, underwriters, and product managers to translate business problems into analytics.
• Present insights clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Create dashboards and visualizations to communicate model performance.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth.
• Stay updated with latest data science and insurance analytics.

Skills

Statistical modelling

Machine learning

Python or R

SQL

Big data analytics

Communication skills

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science / Statistics / CS / Mathematics

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking insurance technology firm, is seeking a Senior Data Scientist with specialized expertise in insurance analytics. This is a fully remote role, offering significant flexibility and the opportunity to work with advanced data tools and methodologies. The Senior Data Scientist will be responsible for leveraging large datasets to derive actionable insights, build predictive models, and drive data-informed decision‑making across various insurance functions, including pricing, risk assessment, customer segmentation, and fraud detection. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including actuaries, underwriters, and product managers, to solve complex business problems using sophisticated analytical techniques. This position is ideal for an experienced data scientist looking to make a substantial impact in the insurance domain from anywhere in South Africa .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for insurance analytics.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and key drivers in insurance markets.
• Build predictive models for risk assessment, pricing optimization, customer churn, and fraud detection.
• Design and execute A/B tests and other experiments to evaluate product features and strategies.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their challenges and translate them into analytical problems.
• Present findings and insights clearly and concisely to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Develop data visualisations and dashboards to communicate key metrics and model performance.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and insurance analytics.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and ethical use of data.

Requirements

• A Master's or Ph.D. degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in data science, with a strong focus on the insurance industry.
• Proven expertise in statistical modelling, machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, time series analysis), and deep learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong SQL skills for data extraction and manipulation.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience working in a remote, collaborative environment.
• Knowledge of insurance products, underwriting, and claims processes.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance‑based bonuses, and comprehensive benefits, including private health insurance and retirement savings plans.
• As a fully remote position, you will enjoy unparalleled flexibility and autonomy.
• The company invests heavily in employee development, offering access to cutting‑edge training, conferences, and opportunities for professional growth.
• You will work with a talented and supportive team, contributing to innovative solutions in the insurance tech space.
• This role offers a significant career advancement opportunity for a data science expert in Kimberley .