Data Scientist - AI & ML Focus

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellness programs

Hybrid work model

Learning opportunities

Advanced computing resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a talented Data Scientist with a focus on AI/ML to join their Richards Bay team. You will extract insights from complex datasets, build predictive models, and drive data-driven decisions across the organization.

You'll work on challenging problems, apply advanced analytics and ML algorithms to unlock opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and advance AI initiatives within the Tech sector in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, CS, or math.
• Proven experience in data mining, statistics and ML.
• Proficient in Python or R with ML libraries; SQL for large DBs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement ML models for prediction, classification and clustering.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends and insights.
• Design and conduct A/B tests and experiments to evaluate models.
• Collaborate with engineering and business teams to translate requirements.
• Create data visualizations and reports for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Maintain and improve data pipelines and model deployment processes.

Skills

Python

R

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Big data analysis

Education

Masters/PhD in Data Science or related field

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a talented Data Scientist with a strong focus on AI and Machine Learning to join their expanding team in Richards Bay. In this role, you will be at the heart of extracting valuable insights from complex datasets, building predictive models, and driving data-driven decision-making across the organization. You will work on challenging problems, applying advanced analytical techniques and ML algorithms to unlock new opportunities and improve operational efficiency. This position is ideal for a data enthusiast who thrives on problem-solving and wants to contribute to significant technological advancements in the AI & Emerging Technologies sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement machine learning models for prediction, classification, and clustering.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Design and conduct A/B tests and other experiments to evaluate model performance and product changes.
• Collaborate with engineering and business teams to understand requirements and translate them into data science solutions.
• Create compelling data visualizations and reports to communicate findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Maintain and improve data pipelines and model deployment processes.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience in data mining, statistical analysis, and machine learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and working with large databases.
• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and creatively about data challenges.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility and work-life balance in Richards Bay.
• Access to advanced computational resources and challenging projects.