Principal Data Scientist

Placements24; O Mente; On-site; EUR 81,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and retirement benefits

Performance-based bonus

Professional growth opportunities

Conference attendance

Job summary

Our client is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead data-driven decision-making from inception to deployment in an on-site role in Queenstown, ZA. You will drive advanced statistical modeling, ML, and data mining across large datasets, mentor junior data scientists, and align analytics with business goals.

You will collaborate with stakeholders, translate complex problems into scalable data science solutions, and shape the strategic direction of the analytics function within the company.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in a quantitative field with a data science focus.
• 7+ years in data science or analytics with leadership experience.
• Strong modeling, ML, and data mining expertise.
• Proficiency in Python or R and SQL.
• Experience with Spark/Hadoop and cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of advanced statistical models and ML algorithms.
• Analyze large datasets to uncover trends and actionable insights.
• Develop predictive models, segmentation, and recommendations.
• Translate business needs into data science projects.
• Mentor junior data scientists and guide technical growth.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Evaluate new data science tools and methodologies.
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and scalability of solutions.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of data science within the company.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Data mining

Python

R

SQL

Big data (Spark/Hadoop)

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Data visualization

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Data Science/Statistics/CS/Math or related field

Master's in Data Science/Statistics/CS/Math or related field

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading analytics firm, is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to join our team based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA . This senior role is pivotal in driving data-driven decision-making across the organization, leading complex projects from inception to deployment. You will leverage advanced statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques to extract actionable insights from large datasets. The ideal candidate possesses a strong theoretical foundation, practical experience with diverse data types and modeling techniques, and exceptional problem-solving skills. You will mentor junior data scientists, collaborate with business stakeholders, and champion best practices in data science. This is an on-site position, offering the opportunity to make a tangible impact within a collaborative and innovative environment. We are looking for a visionary leader who can translate complex business challenges into data science solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that drive business value.
• Develop predictive models, segmentation strategies, and recommendation engines.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their needs and translate them into data science projects.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Evaluate and implement new data science technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy, and scalability of data science solutions.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the data science function within the company.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science or a related analytical role, with proven leadership experience.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with SQL.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong data visualization skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Experience in mentoring and leading technical teams.
• Must be willing to work on-site in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and a performance-based bonus structure.
• We provide significant opportunities for professional growth, including training, conference attendance, and exposure to diverse industry challenges.
• The on-site role fosters close collaboration and team cohesion.
• Employees benefit from working with a dynamic team and contributing to impactful analytical solutions.
• Join our established firm and lead the way in data-driven innovation in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA .