Data Scientist - Educational Analytics

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and performance‑drn

Comprehensive medical and retirement

Professional development budget

Access to advanced computing resources

Academic environment in Stellenbosch

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly analytical Data Scientist to lead Educational Analytics initiatives in Stellenbosch. You will work with academic departments to develop predictive models, dashboards, and data-driven recommendations that improve teaching methods and student outcomes.

The role requires a strong background in statistics and ML, with Python or R, Pandas/dplyr, and data visualization tools. You will collaborate across IT and administration to inform curriculum and institutional

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience as a Data Scientist or in a similar analytical role, with a strong portfolio of projects.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with data manipulation libraries (e.g., Pandas, dplyr).
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Collect, clean, and preprocess large datasets from various educational sources (e.g., student information systems, learning platforms, assessment data).
• Develop and implement statistical models and machine learning algorithms to analyze student performance, predict attrition, and identify factors influencing academic success.
• Design and build interactive dashboards and reports to visualize key educational metrics and trends for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with academic staff and administrators to translate data insights into actionable strategies for curriculum enhancement and student support.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and educational technology, and explore their application to educational contexts.

Skills

Python

R

Pandas

Tableau

Power BI

Machine Learning

Data Visualization

Education

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

Tools

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly analytical and innovative Data Scientist to lead their Educational Analytics initiatives in Stellenbosch . This role is critical in leveraging vast datasets to uncover insights that improve teaching methodologies, student learning outcomes, and institutional effectiveness. You will work closely with academic departments, IT, and administrative teams to develop predictive models, performance dashboards, and data-driven recommendations. This is a unique opportunity to apply advanced data science techniques to shape the future of education within a prestigious university environment in the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Collect, clean, and preprocess large datasets from various educational sources (e.g., student information systems, learning platforms, assessment data).
• Develop and implement statistical models and machine learning algorithms to analyze student performance, predict attrition, and identify factors influencing academic success.
• Design and build interactive dashboards and reports to visualize key educational metrics and trends for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with academic staff and administrators to translate data insights into actionable strategies for curriculum enhancement and student support.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and educational technology, and explore their application to educational contexts.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience as a Data Scientist or in a similar analytical role, with a strong portfolio of projects.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with data manipulation libraries (e.g., Pandas, dplyr).
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to non-technical audiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Generous professional development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications.
• Access to advanced computing resources and cutting-edge technology.
• A stimulating academic environment in the heart of Stellenbosch , fostering innovation and research.