Data Scientist Entry Level (Contract)

The Focus Group; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

The Focus Group is seeking a curious and analytical Junior Data Scientist to join their data team in South Africa, Gauteng, Sandton. In this role, you will develop statistical models and machine learning algorithms, conduct exploratory data analysis, and collaborate with BI teams to derive actionable insights.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and knowledge of programming languages such as Python and R. The position emphasizes collaboration and continuous learning within a growing team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science).
• Experience with programming languages like Python, R, and MATLAB.
• Ability to conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) and feature engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and prototype statistical models and machine learning algorithms.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) and feature engineering.
• Collaborate with BI teams to present actionable insights.
• Deploy, monitor, and maintain ML models in production.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven thinking.

Skills

Python

R

MATLAB

Hadoop

Spark

Hive

Data Wrangling & Visualization

Statistical Modeling & Predictive Analytics

Git

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field

Master’s or PhD

Tools

Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure)

DevOps practices

Data Science certifications (Coursera, SAS, etc.)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a curious, analytical, and collaborative Junior Data Scientist to join their growing data team. You’ll work on building models, uncovering insights, and helping drive data-driven decisions across the organization

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and prototype statistical models and machine learning algorithms
• Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) and feature engineering
• Collaborate with BI teams and analysts to present actionable insights
• Deploy, monitor, and maintain ML models in production
• Stay updated on emerging tools and techniques under senior mentorship
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven thinking
• Contribute to a collaborative and innovative team environment

Required Skills & Tools

• Programming: Python, R, MATLAB
• Big Data: Hadoop, Spark, Hive
• Data Wrangling & Visualization
• Statistical Modeling & Predictive Analytics
• Version Control: Git (preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, etc.)
• Master’s or PhD is a plus
• Certifications in Data Science (Coursera, SAS, etc.)
• Familiarity with Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure)
• Exposure to DevOps or Data Engineering practices

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities
• Agility and openness to innovation
• Passion for continuous learning
• Team-oriented and collaborative mindset