Principal Data Scientist

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health, dental, andeye

Retirement fund contribution

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead advanced analytics initiatives, develop sophisticated machine learning models, and mine data for strategic business insights.

You will mentor junior data scientists, define the technical roadmap, and collaborate with engineering, product, and business stakeholders to deliver actionable results. A PhD or Master\'s in a quantitative field with 8+ years of experience is required, along with strong Python/R and cloud experience.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master\'s in CS, Statistics, Math, Physics, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years as a Data Scientist with leadership experience.
• Proficiency in Python or R and ML libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience handling large-scale datasets and cloud environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and deployment of advanced ML models and statistical analyses.
• Design and implement robust data science pipelines for extraction, transformation, and analysis.
• Explore large, complex datasets to identify trends and actionable insights.
• Develop predictive models, segmentation strategies, and optimization algorithms.
• Mentor junior data scientists and provide technical leadership.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into data solutions.
• Evaluate new technologies and methodologies for the data science team.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay updated on data science advances and contribute to the data strategy.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Experimental design

Leadership / mentoring

Communication skills

Big data mindset

Education

PhD or Master\'s in a quantitative field

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

Python

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly growing technology company focused on leveraging data to drive business decisions and innovation. We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Principal Data Scientist to lead our advanced analytics initiatives in Benoni . This pivotal role involves tackling complex business challenges through the application of sophisticated machine learning models, statistical analysis, and data mining techniques. You will mentor junior data scientists, define the technical roadmap for data science projects, and collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and business stakeholders to deliver actionable insights. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical understanding of statistical modeling and machine learning algorithms, coupled with extensive practical experience in implementing these techniques on large-scale datasets. Our client fosters a culture of data-driven decision-making, innovation, and continuous learning within a dynamic and collaborative environment. Your expertise will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of our data science capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and deployment of advanced machine learning models and statistical analyses to solve complex business problems.
• Design and implement robust data science pipelines for data extraction, transformation, and analysis.
• Explore and analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Develop predictive models, segmentation strategies, and optimization algorithms.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, providing technical leadership and support.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project requirements and translate business needs into data science solutions.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and methodologies for the data science team.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Contribute to the company's data strategy and roadmap.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience as a Data Scientist, with a significant portion in a lead or principal role.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong experience with SQL and working with large datasets from various sources.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to approach complex challenges systematically.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor team members.
• Experience in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is beneficial.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a substantial retirement fund contribution.
• We provide excellent opportunities for professional development, including access to cutting-edge training, conferences, and advanced tools.
• The Benoni location offers a thriving business environment and excellent work-life balance.
• Join a forward-thinking company and play a key role in driving data-driven innovation.