Insurance Data Scientist - Predictive Modeling

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Continuous learning & development

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Insurance Data Scientist in Kimberley for a hybrid role that blends in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. You will develop and implement advanced predictive models to support underwriting, pricing, claims, and customer behavior, working with large, complex datasets to uncover patterns and inform decisions.

The role requires a Master’s or PhD in a quantitative field and at least 5 years of experience in predictive modeling, with strong Python or R skills and

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, CS, Mathematics, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years as a Data Scientist with predictive modeling focus.
• Experience in insurance or financial services is highly desirable.
• Proficient in Python or R and ML libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and large databases.
• Knowledge of visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy ML models for insurance applications (fraud detection, risk assessment, segmentation, churn).
• Clean, process, and transform large datasets from multiple sources.
• Perform exploratory data analysis to identify key trends and insights.
• Evaluate model performance, conduct A/B testing, and implement improvements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate needs into data science solutions.
• Communicate complex analytical findings to non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with advancements in data science, ML, and AI.
• Develop dashboards and reports to visualize data and model results.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and privacy compliance.
• Contribute to the development of the company's data strategy.

Skills

Predictive modeling

Machine learning

Data visualization

Statistical analysis

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Python

R

SQL

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Tableau

Power BI

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in leveraging data for strategic advantage, is seeking a highly skilled Insurance Data Scientist to join their analytics team. This role, based in Kimberley, focuses on developing and implementing advanced predictive models to drive insights across various insurance functions, including underwriting, pricing, claims, and customer behavior. You will work with large, complex datasets to uncover patterns, predict outcomes, and inform critical business decisions. This is an exciting opportunity for a data-savvy professional to make a significant impact within the insurance industry in Northern Cape region. This Hybrid role offers a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, centered around our Kimberley office.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy machine learning models for various insurance applications (e.g., fraud detection, risk assessment, customer segmentation, churn prediction).
• Clean, process, and transform large datasets from multiple sources to prepare them for analysis.
• Perform exploratory data analysis to identify key trends and insights.
• Evaluate model performance, conduct A/B testing, and implement improvements.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into data science solutions.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations to non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Develop dashboards and reports to visualize data and model results.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and compliance with privacy regulations.
• Contribute to the development of the company's data strategy and analytical capabilities.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on predictive modeling and machine learning.
• Proven experience in the insurance industry or financial services sector is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and working with large databases.
• Knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and an excellent benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance, retirement fund, and opportunities for continuous learning and professional development. The Hybrid work model provides a good work-life balance. This role offers a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies and contribute to data-driven decision-making within the insurance sector in Kimberley.