Principal Data Scientist - AI Applications

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity/Profit-sharing

Health/dental/vision coverage

Generous leave

Learning opportunities

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Principal Data Scientist to lead advanced AI applications development in Durban. This senior role defines the strategy for utilizing AI/ML to unlock new insights and drive business value, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver production-ready data solutions.

You will mentor junior data scientists, design rigorous experimental frameworks, deploy models in production, and communicate technical findings to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD required in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Mathematics or CS.
• 8+ years in Data Science with strong AI/ML focus.
• Proven production ML deployment experience.
• Proficiency in Python or R and SQL.
• Experience with pandas, NumPy and scikit-learn.
• Strong statistical, experimental design and causal inference knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced ML models for predictive analytics and optimization.
• Conduct in-depth exploratory data analysis to identify trends and insights.
• Design and implement A/B testing frameworks and evaluate models rigorously.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business problems into data science solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists and analysts.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

Statistical modeling

A/B testing

Mentorship

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Statistics/Math/CS or related field

Tools

Big data technologies

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Data Scientist to lead advanced AI applications development in Durban . This senior role is critical for identifying and implementing sophisticated data-driven solutions that address complex business challenges. You will be instrumental in defining the strategy for utilizing AI and machine learning to unlock new insights and capabilities. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will leverage your deep expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data analysis to drive significant business impact and innovation within the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced machine learning models for predictive analytics, forecasting, and optimization.
• Conduct in-depth exploratory data analysis to identify key trends and insights.
• Design and implement A/B testing frameworks and evaluate model performance rigorously.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define business problems and translate them into data science solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists and analysts, fostering a culture of data excellence.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on AI and machine learning.
• Demonstrated success in building and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Expertise in programming languages like Python or R, and SQL.
• Proficiency with data science libraries (e.g., pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn) and big data technologies.
• Strong understanding of statistical principles, experimental design, and causal inference.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and comprehensive bonus structure.
• Significant equity or profit-sharing options.
• Premium health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements in Durban .
• Opportunities for continuous learning, attending industry conferences, and publishing research.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment with a focus on groundbreaking AI innovation.