Graduate Programme: AI & Robotic Process Automation

Alexforbes; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in Sandton seeks candidates for its Graduate Programme focusing on AI and Robotic Process Automation. Ideal applicants will have a strong academic foundation in data science and hands-on lab experience. Responsibilities include data analysis and machine learning model development. Collaborative problem solvers with programming skills in Python and familiarity with big data will thrive in this dynamic role.

Qualifications

• Strong academic background in data science/data quality and management.
• Hand-on experience in data analysis and predictive modelling.
• Familiarity with APIs for basic configuration and debugging.

Responsibilities

• Participate in data collection and preprocessing for AI projects.
• Develop and test machine learning models under supervision.
• Analyze datasets to extract insights for business problems.

Skills

Python

Data Management

Machine Learning

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Collaborative Skills

Statistics

Data Visualization

Education

National Diploma or Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics

Tools

PowerBI

Linux

SQL

Excel

Git

Job description

Designation: Graduate Programme: AI & Robotic Process Automation

Category: Technology - OF6302

Posted by: Alexander Forbes

Posted on: 29 Jul 2025

Closing date: 12 Aug 2025

Location: Sandton

Overview

Purpose of the Job:

Graduate Programme Area: Information Management

Sub Area of Graduate Programme: AI and RPA (data) management

• The graduate candidate we are looking for will be:

a highly motivated and analytical individual with a strong academic background (backed up with hands-on technical lab work) in data science/data quality and data management, machine learning, and experience in applying artificial intelligence computing methods.

• He or she will be proficient in programming languages such as:

Python, Fedora-Linux, Windows server, R, MS SQL, PowerShell scripting, PowerBI, data cloud platforms including Amazon AWS, MS Azure, Google Cloud, Snowflake, with hands-on experience performing data analysis, predictive modelling, and data storytelling supported by data visualization methods.

• He or she should be comfortable interacting with:

big data sets (databases) with at least a million records.

• He or she should be familiar with:

APIs – basic configuration and debugging.

• Ideal candidates will be individuals who:

like to ask questions, are technically inclined, hands-on, enjoy working in small teams, are problem solvers, and self-motivated to stay current with data science and AI developments. They should display confidence, self-awareness, and the ability to work independently.

• Successful candidates:

may work remotely or onsite at our Sandton office.

• Should be outcome-oriented, focused on delivering results.

Requirements

• A national Diploma or Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or related fields.
• Ideally, pursuing or holding multiple certifications in SQL, data science, AI, or related AI applications.
• Experience with AI model prompt training and hosting methods (e.g., Ollama, LM Studio, MS Co-Pilot Studio) is advantageous.
• All tertiary institutions are welcome to apply.
• Graduation year: three or more years ago.
• Relevant coursework: data quality management, data pipelines, machine learning, data mining, statistical analysis, AI model selection, reinforcement learning, AI virtual agents, and pattern configuration.
• Tools: MS Teams, Python, Kaggle, Linux, Jupyter, Git, Excel, SQL, Postman, data utilities.

Main Accountabilities

• Participate in data collection and preprocessing for AI projects.
• Develop and test machine learning models under supervision.
• Analyze datasets to extract insights for business problems.
• Present results to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing.

Key Competencies

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Python; familiarity with R or Java.
• Knowledge of machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, supervised and unsupervised learning.
• Data literacy, including data cleaning, analysis, and visualization (e.g., pandas, NumPy, SQL, Tableau).
• Strong mathematics and statistics foundation.
• Experience with AI tools, frameworks, cloud platforms, and big data tools.

Soft Skills

• Problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Collaboration and communication skills.
• Adaptability and continuous learning mindset.
• Understanding of AI ethics, bias mitigation, data privacy, and compliance.
• Strong presentation skills, teamwork, and time management.