Principal Data Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Performance-based bonus

Generous leave allowances

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Data Scientist in Durban to lead the most advanced machine learning initiatives. You will architect algorithms, guide ML strategy, and collaborate with business stakeholders to shape data-driven decisions.

You will mentor junior data scientists, drive production deployments, and stay at the forefront of ML/AI advancements, ensuring scalable pipelines and impactful insights for the e-commerce analytics client base.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field (e.g., CS, Stats, Math, Physics).
• 7+ years of data science experience focusing on ML and statistical modeling.
• Proven track record deploying predictive models in production.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced ML models and statistical algorithms.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and opportunities for business improvement.
• Develop and implement data mining and data analysis strategies.
• Translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
• Mentor junior data scientists and analysts.
• Stay updated on advances in data science and AI.
• Collaborate with engineers to build scalable data pipelines and productionize models.
• Evaluate and select tools and technologies for data analysis and modeling.
• Present findings to executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Conduct rigorous validation and A/B testing of models and hypotheses.

Skills

Python

R

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Leadership

Experiment design

Communication

Education

PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field

Tools

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

NumPy

Spark

Hadoop

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge analytics firm specializing in predictive modeling and machine learning for the e-commerce sector, is looking for a Principal Data Scientist to join their esteemed research and development team in **Durban**. This senior role is critical in driving the company's data-driven strategy, focusing on developing sophisticated algorithms and models to uncover actionable insights from vast datasets. You will lead complex data science projects from conception to deployment, mentor junior data scientists, and collaborate with business stakeholders to identify key analytical challenges and opportunities. The position requires a deep theoretical understanding coupled with practical experience in applying advanced statistical and machine learning techniques. This role is office-based in **Durban**, fostering close collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced machine learning models and statistical algorithms.


• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for business improvement.


• Develop and implement data mining and data analysis strategies.


• Translate complex analytical findings into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for business stakeholders.


• Mentor and guide junior data scientists and analysts.


• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.


• Collaborate with engineering teams to build scalable data pipelines and productionize models.


• Evaluate and select appropriate tools and technologies for data analysis and modeling.


• Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership.


• Conduct rigorous validation and A/B testing of models and hypotheses.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent.


• 7+ years of experience in data science, with a strong focus on machine learning and statistical modeling.


• Proven track record of successfully deploying predictive models in a production environment.


• Expertise in programming languages commonly used in data science, such as Python and R.


• Proficiency with data science libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).


• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.


• Strong understanding of statistical concepts, experimental design, and hypothesis testing.


• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.


• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities.


• Experience in the e-commerce or retail analytics domain is a plus.


• Must be able to work full-time from our offices in **Durban**.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, a performance-based bonus structure, and generous leave allowances. You will have the opportunity to work on challenging and impactful projects, access state-of-the-art technology, and benefit from a supportive and intellectually stimulating work environment in **Durban**. We provide continuous professional development opportunities and encourage participation in industry conferences. Join a team that is shaping the future of data science.