Remote Senior Data Scientist - Insurance Analytics

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 131,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous remote work allowance

Professional development opportunities

Health insurance

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Data Scientist for a fully remote role focused on advanced analytics in the insurance sector. You will design and deploy sophisticated models, analyze large datasets, and collaborate with stakeholders to translate business challenges into data science solutions.

The role requires 5+ years of experience, a strong background in statistics and ML, and leadership to mentor junior scientists while shaping the company’s data strategy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum 5 years as a Data Scientist, with substantial insurance/financial services exposure.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, ML techniques (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and deploy advanced statistical models and ML algorithms for insurance applications.
• Analyze large datasets to extract insights on customer segmentation, risk, pricing and fraud detection.
• Develop predictive models to forecast trends and mitigate risks.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Python

R

Statistics

Machine Learning

Big Data

Cloud

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Data Science/CS/Statistics

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in leveraging data to drive innovation in the insurance sector, is seeking a highly skilled Remote Senior Data Scientist to join their advanced analytics team. This fully remote position offers the freedom to work from anywhere in South Africa, contributing your expertise to critical data-driven projects. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying sophisticated machine learning models and analytical solutions that provide deep insights into customer behavior, risk assessment, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in statistics, machine learning, and programming, coupled with a solid understanding of the insurance domain. As a senior member of the team, you will mentor junior scientists and play a key role in shaping the company's data strategy, all while working remotely from a location such as Queenstown.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for insurance applications.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to extract actionable insights related to customer segmentation, fraud detection, risk modeling, and pricing.
• Develop predictive models to forecast trends, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their challenges and translate them into data science problems.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI, and explore their application in the insurance industry.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and analytical workflows.
• Contribute to the development of the company's data strategy and governance.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data in all analytical endeavors.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or Ph.D. in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a Data Scientist, with a significant portion in the insurance or financial services industry.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts simply.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and deliver results in a remote setting.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership potential or experience mentoring junior team members.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous remote work allowance and technology budget.
• Significant opportunities for professional development and research.
• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating remote work environment.
• Access to cutting-edge data science tools and platforms.
• The chance to make a significant impact on the future of insurance analytics.