Data Scientist - Insurance Analytics

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a skilled Data Scientist to join our analytics team in Bloemfontein, Free State. You will extract insights from large datasets to influence pricing, underwriting, claims, and customer behavior decisions, using advanced modeling, ML, and strong visualization skills.

The role offers a hybrid work model with in-office collaboration in Bloemfontein and focused remote productivity within the local area.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a quantitative field is required.
• 5+ years as a Data Scientist with insurance/financial services focus.
• Proficiency in Python or R with ML libraries.
• Experience with SQL and data visualization tools.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and ML algorithms.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and actionable insights.
• Build predictive models for churn, fraud, risk, and pricing optimization.
• Design and run A/B tests and experiments to evaluate performance.
• Create data visualizations and dashboards for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with业务 units to translate problems into data science solutions.
• Clean, transform and prepare data for analysis.
• Stay updated on latest data science advancements and best practices.
• Support data governance and data quality initiatives.
• Present findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Python or R

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Experiment design

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Master’s or PhD in Data Science / Statistics / CS / Mathematics

Tools

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the insurance industry, is seeking a talented Data Scientist to join their expanding analytics team in Bloemfontein, Free State. This role is instrumental in extracting valuable insights from vast datasets to drive strategic decision-making across pricing, underwriting, claims, and customer behavior. The ideal candidate will possess strong statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization skills, coupled with a deep understanding of the insurance domain. We are committed to leveraging data to innovate and enhance our services. This position offers a hybrid working model, allowing for a blend of collaborative in-office work and focused remote productivity within the Bloemfontein area. Join us to shape the future of insurance analytics.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Build predictive models for customer churn, fraud detection, risk assessment, and pricing optimization.
• Design and conduct A/B tests and other experiments to evaluate product performance and marketing strategies.
• Create compelling data visualizations and dashboards to communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their challenges and translate them into data science problems.
• Clean, transform, and prepare data for analysis using various data manipulation techniques.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Contribute to the development of data governance and best practices.
• Present findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Data Scientist, with a significant focus on applying data science in the insurance or financial services industry.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas).
• Experience with SQL and database management.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and experimental design.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Knowledge of insurance data and products is highly desirable for this role in Bloemfontein.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, an attractive annual bonus structure, and comprehensive benefits including medical aid, a generous retirement fund, and substantial paid time off. We provide opportunities for continuous learning, attending industry conferences, and career advancement. The hybrid work arrangement promotes a healthy work-life balance, utilizing our modern facilities in Bloemfontein for team collaboration and focused work periods. Access to cutting-edge technology and a data-driven culture are integral parts of this role. Join a forward-thinking team and make a significant impact through data-driven innovation.