Lead Data Scientist (Machine Learning)

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and performanceBon•

Health and wellness benefits

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Pension fund

Access to cutting-edge tools

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to guide a team of data scientists and drive machine learning initiatives end-to-end. You will develop, deploy, and monitor sophisticated models, leveraging statistical techniques to solve complex business problems and deliver actionable insights.

The role demands leadership across the DS lifecycle and close collaboration with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field, 7+ years of DS experience,

Qualifications

• Requires Master’s or PhD in a quantitative field
• 7+ years hands-on data science experience with ML focus
• Proven leadership of data science teams or projects
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy)
• Strong knowledge of ML techniques (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning, NLP)
• Experience with big data (Spark, Hadoop) and SQL
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) for DS workloads
• Excellent analytical, statistical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists
• Develop, implement, and deploy advanced ML models and algorithms
• Identify new data sources and analytical opportunities
• Design and execute experiments to validate model performance
• Translate business needs into DS projects for stakeholders
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ensure data quality and reliability for analysis and modeling
• Stay updated on DS research and advancements
• Contribute to strategic direction of the DS function
• Oversee end-to-end DS project lifecycle and delivery

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Master’s or PhD in Computer Science/Statistics/Mathematics/Physics/related field

Tools

Python

R

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

NumPy

Spark

Hadoop

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding analytics firm in Durban , is seeking an accomplished Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their machine learning initiatives. This role requires a visionary leader who can guide a team of data scientists, drive innovative projects, and translate complex data into actionable business insights. You will be responsible for developing and deploying sophisticated machine learning models, leveraging advanced statistical techniques and algorithms to solve challenging business problems. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the entire data science lifecycle, from data acquisition and preprocessing to model deployment and monitoring. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a leadership position within a forward-thinking company, contributing to key strategic decisions and impacting the business significantly. The role is based in our client's state-of-the-art offices in Durban .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and high performance.
• Develop, implement, and deploy advanced machine learning models and algorithms.
• Identify and explore new data sources and analytical opportunities to drive business value.
• Design and execute experiments to test hypotheses and validate model performance.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into data science projects.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reliability of data used for analysis and modeling.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the data science function within the organization.
• Oversee the end-to-end data science project lifecycle, ensuring timely and successful delivery.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in data science, with a strong focus on machine learning.
• Proven experience leading data science teams or projects.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).
• Strong understanding of various machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning, NLP).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL databases.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) for data science workloads.
• Excellent analytical, statistical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

• Highly attractive salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and attending conferences.
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment in Durban .
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
• Pension fund contributions.
• Access to cutting-edge tools and technologies.