Data Scientist - Risk Modeling

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Data Scientist specializing in Risk Modeling to join our Pretoria team. You will develop and validate statistical and ML models for credit, market, and operational risk, handling large datasets and collaborating across risk management and IT to deploy solutions.

Ideal candidates have 4+ years in data science focused on financial risk, with Python or R proficiency and experience with SQL, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. A strong academic background is required.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Finance.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in data science, with a focus on financial risk modeling.
• Proficiency in Python or R, and libraries like Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and strong SQL skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and implement statistical and machine learning models for credit risk, market risk, and operational risk.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify patterns, correlations, and predictive insights.
• Collaborate with risk management, business, and IT teams to define model requirements and ensure successful deployment.
• Perform rigorous model testing and validation, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and best practices.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and model results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of data science methodologies and risk modeling frameworks.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Statistics

Machine learning

Risk modeling

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Statistics/Data Science/Mathematics/CS/Finance

Tools

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks a talented Data Scientist specializing in Risk Modeling to join their innovative team in Pretoria . This role is vital in leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning techniques to develop sophisticated risk assessment models, supporting strategic decision-making within the banking and finance sector . You will work with large datasets, extract meaningful insights, and build predictive models to mitigate financial risks. This position offers an exciting opportunity to apply cutting-edge data science methodologies in a challenging and impactful capacity, contributing to the firm's robust risk management framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and implement statistical and machine learning models for credit risk, market risk, and operational risk.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify patterns, correlations, and predictive insights.
• Collaborate with risk management, business, and IT teams to define model requirements and ensure successful deployment.
• Perform rigorous model testing and validation, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and best practices.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and model results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of data science methodologies and risk modeling frameworks.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Finance.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in data science, with a focus on financial risk modeling.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong experience with SQL and working with large databases.
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and risk management principles.
• Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical and retirement plans.
• Access to advanced tools and technologies for data analysis.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development in Pretoria .
• A stimulating work environment focused on innovation in financial risk management.