Intermediate Data Scientist

Sabenza IT & Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Sabenza IT & Recruitment is looking for an Intermediate Data Scientist in Johannesburg, South Africa. This role is ideal for someone with 1–3 years of experience, strong Python skills, and a solid foundation in machine learning. You will take ownership of multiple data science work-streams and collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex business problems.

The ideal candidate enjoys working independently and seeks mentorship for growth into a senior role. A BSc in a STEM field is required.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Solid understanding of machine learning and data science fundamentals.
• Experience with tools such as Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn.
• Exposure to PyTorch or TensorFlow is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver multiple data science work-streams within projects.
• Perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) to uncover insights and guide modelling.
• Design, build, and evaluate machine learning models.
• Translate business problems into structured analytical solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, product teams, and stakeholders.

Skills

Data science

Machine learning

Python

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Education

BSc in STEM

Job description

Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 09/06/2026

We’re looking for a Intermediate Data Scientist who is ready to take real ownership of their work and contribute to solving complex, high-impact business problems. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working independently, building practical machine learning solutions, and turning data into meaningful outcomes. You’ll be part of a fast-moving, collaborative environment where curiosity, accountability, and problem-solving are key to success.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver multiple data science work-streams within projects
• Perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) to uncover insights and guide modelling
• Design, build, and evaluate machine learning models
• Perform feature engineering and data preprocessing at scale
• Translate business problems into structured analytical solutions
• Write clean, scalable, and well-documented code
• Validate and interpret model results, communicating findings clearly
• Collaborate with engineers, product teams, and stakeholders
• Support and guide junior team members where needed

You should have

• 1–3 years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a related field
• Strong programming skills in Python
• Solid understanding of machine learning and data science fundamentals
• Experience with tools such as Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn
• Exposure to PyTorch or TensorFlow (advantageous)
• Ability to work independently across multiple tasks
• A STEM degree (BSc minimum; strong academic performance preferred)

You’ll Thrive Here If You

• Take ownership of your work and follow through
• Enjoy solving multiple problems at once and managing your own workload
• Can break down business problems into structured technical solutions
• Communicate clearly and confidently
• Are eager to learn, improve, and take on more responsibility

What You’ll Gain

• Ownership of real project work and deliverables
• Exposure to complex, real-world data challenges
• Opportunities to contribute to solution design
• Mentorship and support to grow into a senior role
• A clear progression path toward leadership

How We Work

• Work in cross-functional teams to solve complex problems
• Encourage ownership, autonomy, and accountability
• Value clear thinking and strong communication
• Focus on delivering outcomes, not just outputs