Remote Data Scientist - Financial Modeling

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Remote autonomy

Health insurance

Professional development budget

Bonuses

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Remote Data Scientist specializing in Financial Modeling to join a fintech-forward team. You will develop advanced predictive models for asset pricing, risk management, and portfolio optimization, using large datasets and modern ML techniques within a remote-first setup in South Africa.

You'll collaborate with researchers and engineers to productionize models, build data pipelines, and monitor model performance, all while adhering to best practices in data

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a quantitative field.
• 5+ years of data science/quant research with financial modeling.
• Proficiency in Python or R and ML libraries.
• Experience with time series, regression, classification, clustering.
• Experience with financial data sources
• SQL and large databases experience.
• Strong problem solving and communication.
• Ability to work independently in a remote team.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced financial models.
• Analyze large datasets to extract insights.
• Build predictive models for asset pricing and risk.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to productionize models.
• Develop data pipelines and automated monitoring.
• Stay current with ML and quantitative finance research.
• Communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Advance MLOps best practices.
• Identify data-driven opportunities to improve products.
• Ensure ethical use of data in modeling.

Skills

Python

R

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Time series

Regression

Classification

Clustering

SQL

AWS

Azure

GCP

Education

Master's or PhD in quantitative field

Tools

Cloud platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading FinTech innovator, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Remote Data Scientist specializing in Financial Modeling. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be instrumental in developing advanced predictive models, optimizing trading strategies, and identifying new investment opportunities using complex datasets. The role requires a deep understanding of statistical analysis, machine learning algorithms, and their application within the Banking & Finance domain. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, passionate about data-driven decision-making, and capable of delivering robust, scalable solutions in a remote-first environment. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of financial technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement sophisticated financial models using statistical and machine learning techniques.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to extract actionable insights and identify trends in financial markets.
• Build and validate predictive models for asset pricing, risk management, and portfolio optimization.
• Collaborate with quantitative researchers and engineers to integrate models into production systems.
• Develop data pipelines and automated reporting systems for model performance monitoring.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in data science, machine learning, and quantitative finance.
• Communicate complex findings and model methodologies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of best practices in data science and MLOps.
• Proactively identify opportunities for leveraging data to improve business outcomes and product offerings.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data in all modeling activities.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist or Quantitative Analyst, with a significant focus on financial modeling.
• Proven expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong understanding of time series analysis, regression, classification, and clustering algorithms.
• Experience with financial data sources and markets (e.g., equities, fixed income, derivatives).
• Familiarity with SQL and experience working with large databases.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically about complex financial problems.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage projects effectively from inception to completion.
• Prior experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remote salary and potential for stock options.
• Flexible working hours and complete remote work autonomy.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous professional development budget for courses, conferences, and certifications.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge FinTech projects.
• Collaborative culture that values innovation and data-driven insights.
• Annual performance bonuses and performance reviews.
• Modern technology stack and tools.
• Home office setup stipend.
• Contribute to a company revolutionizing the financial industry.