Principal Data Scientist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Performance bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional development budget

Flexible remote work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Data Scientist for a data analytics firm near Rustenburg, North West. You will lead advanced analytics initiatives, develop ML models, and translate insights to business decisions.

The role emphasizes mentoring junior scientists, collaborating with engineering and product teams to deploy models, and staying at the forefront of data science methods in a remote-first environment. Excellent communication and a track record of delivering impact are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in data science, ML, or related analytical roles.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and statistical analyses.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from various sources.
• Develop predictive models, classification algorithms, and anomaly detection systems.
• Utilize state-of-the-art data science techniques and tools to solve challenging business problems.
• Conduct rigorous A/B testing and experimentation to validate hypotheses and measure impact.
• Visualize and present data-driven insights to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to deploy models into production environments.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of learning and innovation.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, ML, and AI.
• Define and track KPIs for data science projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Statistical modeling

ML algorithms

Experiment design

Education

Ph.D. or Master’s in quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

Pandas

NumPy

SciPy

Spark

Hadoop

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL/NoSQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent data analytics firm with operations near **Rustenburg, North West**, is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead its advanced analytics initiatives. This is a high-impact role for a seasoned professional who can leverage vast datasets to drive business insights and strategic decision-making. You will be responsible for developing sophisticated machine learning models, conducting in-depth statistical analyses, and communicating complex findings to stakeholders. The role involves working with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in a remote-first environment, offering unparalleled flexibility. The ideal candidate possesses a strong blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and a passion for uncovering hidden patterns within data. This position offers a unique opportunity to mentor junior data scientists and shape the future of data-driven innovation for our client.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and statistical analyses.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from various sources.
• Develop predictive models, classification algorithms, and anomaly detection systems.
• Utilize state-of-the-art data science techniques and tools to solve challenging business problems.
• Conduct rigorous A/B testing and experimentation to validate hypotheses and measure impact.
• Visualize and present data-driven insights and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to deploy models into production environments.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of learning and innovation.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for data science projects.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a related analytical role.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data science, such as Python or R.
• Strong experience with data manipulation and analysis libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, SciPy).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL/NoSQL databases.
• Familiarity with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and data visualization skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex analytical projects from conception to completion.
• Experience working remotely is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary package.
• Generous stock options and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous professional development budget for conferences and training.
• Flexible remote work arrangement.
• Access to a world-class suite of data science tools and resources.
• Opportunity to work on impactful, cutting-edge projects.