Junior Data Scientist - Predictive Modelling

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and disability cover

Pension fund contribution

Continuous professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, invites a motivated Junior Data Scientist to join their advanced analytics team. The role focuses on developing predictive models, processing large datasets, and translating business problems into data-driven solutions within a hybrid work setup.

The ideal candidate has a strong ML foundation, proficiency in Python or R, and experience with SQL and data visualization tools, ready to contribute to production deployments and stakeholder communications.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, CS, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong understanding of statistical modelling and ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, time series).
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).
• Experience with SQL for data extraction and manipulation.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills; ability to explain complex concepts.
• Eligible to work in South Africa and willing to work hybrid in Richards Bay.

Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and evaluate ML models for predictive analytics and forecasting.
• Clean, preprocess, and transform large datasets from various sources.
• Collaborate with domain experts to translate business problems into data science solutions.
• Implement and deploy models into production with engineering teams.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to uncover trends and patterns.
• Visualize data and model results for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay updated with latest data science advancements.
• Contribute to design and architecture of data pipelines and analytical systems.
• Document methodologies, experiments, and model performance.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical modelling

Data analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Master's or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

SQL

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Pandas

NumPy

Tableau

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the energy sector, is seeking a motivated and intellectually curious Junior Data Scientist to join their advanced analytics team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is perfect for a recent graduate with a passion for machine learning, statistical modelling, and data-driven decision-making. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing predictive models to optimize operations, forecast demand, and identify new business opportunities. The position involves a hybrid work model, combining collaborative on-site engagement with the flexibility of remote work. You will work with large datasets, advanced analytical tools, and collaborate closely with domain experts to extract meaningful insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and evaluate machine learning models for predictive analytics and forecasting.
• Clean, preprocess, and transform large datasets from various sources.
• Collaborate with domain experts to understand business problems and translate them into data science solutions.
• Implement and deploy models into production environments, working with engineering teams.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to uncover trends and patterns.
• Visualize data and model results for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Contribute to the design and architecture of data pipelines and analytical systems.
• Document methodologies, experiments, and model performance.

Requirements

• A Master's or PhD degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong theoretical understanding of statistical modelling and machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, time series analysis).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).
• Experience with SQL for data extraction and manipulation.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts.
• A proactive and inquisitive mindset with a passion for uncovering insights from data.
• Must be eligible to work in South Africa and willing to work a hybrid schedule in Richards Bay.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits including medical aid and disability cover, and a generous pension fund contribution.
• You will have access to continuous professional development opportunities, including conferences and advanced training courses.
• The hybrid work arrangement promotes a healthy work-life balance, and the company culture encourages innovation and collaboration.