Principal Data Scientist - AI/ML Research

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Remote-friendly, flexible hours

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Data Scientist for a fully remote role across South Africa. You will lead cutting-edge ML research, develop AI-driven analytics, and drive production-grade solutions that influence product strategy.

You will mentor junior data scientists, design robust data pipelines, and collaborate with engineering teams to deploy models at scale. Strong Python/R skills and deep learning expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Math or related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of data science experience deploying models in production.
• Expertise with TF/PyTorch/Keras and Python/R.
• Experience with big data and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Strong problem solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development and deployment of advanced ML models.
• Conduct EDA to identify trends and opportunities in data.
• Build data pipelines and analytics frameworks for large-scale data.
• Develop predictive models for forecasting and anomaly detection.
• Collaborate with engineering/product teams to integrate AI solutions.
• Mentor junior data scientists and communicate findings clearly.
• Design A/B tests to evaluate model impact and performance.
• Shape AI and data science strategy within the organization.

Skills

Data science leadership

Deep learning

Python/R

ML model deployment

Exploratory data analysis

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Math

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

Spark

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, is looking for a visionary Principal Data Scientist to spearhead innovative research initiatives. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing sophisticated machine learning models and AI-driven solutions that push the boundaries of predictive analytics and data intelligence. We are committed to fostering a remote-first culture, where collaboration and innovation thrive regardless of physical location. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to work on challenging problems, influence product development, and contribute to the future of AI research. If you are a forward-thinking data scientist passionate about making a significant impact, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced machine learning algorithms and AI models.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for leveraging company data.
• Build and maintain robust data pipelines and analytical frameworks suitable for large-scale datasets.
• Develop predictive models for forecasting, classification, and anomaly detection across various business domains.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and product teams to integrate AI/ML solutions into existing platforms and services.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and advancements in AI, machine learning, and data science, and apply them to solve complex business problems.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of learning and knowledge sharing.
• Effectively communicate complex technical findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Design and implement A/B testing frameworks to evaluate model performance and business impact.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AI and data science initiatives within the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience in data science, with a strong focus on building and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Proven expertise in deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, and associated data science libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, data mining, and machine learning algorithms.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and analytically.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex data science projects.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote work setting.

Benefits

• This remote position offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience, along with performance-based bonuses.
• Our client provides a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and generous paid time off.
• We support continuous professional development through online courses, certifications, and access to leading industry conferences.
• As a fully remote team, we emphasize work-life balance, offer flexible working hours, and provide a collaborative online environment.
• You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI projects with a globally distributed team, making a significant impact from wherever you choose to work.
• The flexibility of this role allows you to be based anywhere, embracing the freedom of remote work while contributing to groundbreaking AI research.