Lead Data Scientist - Machine Learning

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home office stipend

Ergonomic setup

Health insurance

Vacation policy

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Lead Data Scientist to drive machine learning initiatives from a fully remote position. You will lead a team of data scientists, mentor junior members, and set the technical direction for ML projects.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master's in a quantitative field, 7+ years in data science, expertise with Python/R and ML libraries, and hands-on production deployment experience on cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in data science and ML, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior mentorship role.
• Expertise in Python or R and ML libraries (Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of ML models to address complex business challenges (e.g., customer segmentation, fraud detection, predictive maintenance).
• Develop and implement robust data processing and feature engineering pipelines for large, complex datasets.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, promoting best practices in model development, validation, and MLOps.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate ML models into production systems and ensure ongoing performance.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify trends and opportunities for data-driven innovation.
• Communicate complex findings and model insights to technical and non-technical stakeholders remotely.

Skills

Python

R

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

MLOps

Big data

Education

PhD or MSc in a quantitative field

Advanced degree in CS/Statistics/Math

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Lead Data Scientist to drive their machine learning initiatives from a fully remote position. This role is critical in leveraging vast datasets to develop predictive models, optimize operations, and unlock new business insights. You will lead a team of talented data scientists, mentor junior members, and set the technical direction for machine learning projects. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and practical experience deploying models in production environments, contributing significantly to strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models to address complex business challenges, such as customer segmentation, fraud detection, and predictive maintenance.
• Develop and implement robust data processing and feature engineering pipelines for large, complex datasets.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering best practices in model development, validation, and MLOps.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate machine learning models into production systems and ensure their ongoing performance.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for data-driven innovation.
• Communicate complex findings and model insights effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders remotely.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in data science and machine learning, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior mentorship role.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with machine learning libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong understanding of various ML algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and their applications.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Proven ability to manage projects, deliver results, and effectively communicate technical concepts in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Full remote work setup with home office stipend and ergonomic support.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous vacation policy and opportunities for continued professional development.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking team culture focused on innovation.