Data Scientist (AI/ML)

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

Performance-based incentives

Training and conferences

Subsidized meals

On-site parking

Fitness facilities

Regular social events

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking a highly analytical Data Scientist with expertise in AI/ML to join our technology solutions team. You will develop and deploy advanced ML models, perform complex data analyses, and drive data-driven decision making across the business.

The ideal candidate holds a master's or PhD in a quantitative field, has 3+ years of experience, and is proficient in Python or R, with libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in CS, statistics, mathematics, or related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in data science with ML/AI focus.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R with libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy.
• Experience with big data tech like Spark/Hadoop is a plus; cloud ML workloads (AWS/Azure/GCP).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy ML models for predictive modeling, classification, clustering, and NLP.
• Perform exploratory data analysis and extract insights from large datasets.
• Clean, preprocess, and transform data for model training and evaluation.
• Collaborate with engineering/product teams to integrate models into products.
• Evaluate model performance and iterate to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Stay updated on AI/ML advancements and document methodologies.
• Develop and maintain data model documentation.
• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Problem solving

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science/Statistics/Mathematics

Tools

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Pandas

NumPy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding technology solutions provider, is seeking a highly analytical and skilled Data Scientist with expertise in AI/ML to join their esteemed team in Durban . This is an exciting opportunity to work on challenging projects that leverage big data to drive business insights and build intelligent systems. You will be responsible for developing and implementing advanced machine learning models, conducting complex data analysis, and contributing to data-driven decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in statistical modeling, programming, and a deep understanding of the full machine learning lifecycle. This role is based in our Durban office and requires your presence for collaborative team efforts and access to specialized hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning models for various applications, including predictive modeling, classification, clustering, and natural language processing.
• Perform exploratory data analysis, identify trends, and extract meaningful insights from large, complex datasets.
• Clean, preprocess, and transform raw data to prepare it for model training and evaluation.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate AI/ML models into existing products and services.
• Evaluate model performance, identify areas for improvement, and iterate on models to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and data science research and technologies.
• Develop and maintain documentation for data models, algorithms, and methodologies.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of data infrastructure and tooling.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in data science, with a strong focus on machine learning and AI.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R, along with extensive experience using data science libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy).
• Solid understanding of statistical concepts, machine learning algorithms, and deep learning techniques.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP for machine learning workloads.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau).

Benefits

• private medical insurance,
• a generous pension scheme,
• performance-based incentives.
• We invest in our employees' growth with access to cutting-edge training, workshops, and industry conferences.
• subsidized meals,
• on-site parking,
• access to fitness facilities.
• We are committed to fostering a strong team culture with regular social events and professional development opportunities.
• office-based in Durban , offering a collaborative work environment with modern facilities.
• an attractive salary