Remote Data Scientist - Mineralogy Analysis

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote salary package

Flexible working hours

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous annual leave

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Data Scientist specializing in mineralogy analysis to join a fully remote team supporting Richards Bay operations. You will develop and apply advanced models to interpret geological data and optimize mineral recovery.

Lead data-driven solutions across exploration, mining, and processing stages, collaborating with geologists and engineers to deliver actionable insights and robust data pipelines.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field with a focus on materials or geosciences.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with proven experience in mineralogical data analysis or similar domains.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, including libraries like Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow/PyTorch.
• Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data mining techniques.
• Familiarity with geological datasets and scientific visualization tools.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a distributed team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and deploy machine learning models for mineral identification, resource estimation, and process optimization.
• Analyze large datasets derived from techniques like XRD, XRF, and spectral imaging.
• Collaborate with geologists, metallurgists, and engineers to define analytical approaches and interpret results.
• Create clear data visualizations and reports to communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to the development of data pipelines and data management strategies for geological information.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science and their applications in the mining and materials science fields.

Skills

Data science

Mineralogical data analysis

Python

R

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Education

PhD or Master’s in Data Science/Statistics/CS with geoscience focus

Tools

XRD

XRF

Spectral imaging

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative Data Scientist with a specialization in mineralogy analysis to join their fully remote team, supporting operations in the Richards Bay area. This role involves developing and applying advanced statistical and machine learning models to interpret complex geological and mineralogical datasets. You will work with large volumes of data from exploration, mining, and processing stages to identify patterns, optimize recovery, and enhance resource evaluation. This is a unique opportunity to leverage data science expertise in the mining industry, contributing to data-driven decision-making and technological advancement from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and deploy machine learning models for mineral identification , resource estimation, and process optimization.
• Analyze large datasets derived from techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and spectral imaging.
• Collaborate with geologists, metallurgists, and engineers to define analytical approaches and interpret results.
• Create clear data visualizations and reports to communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to the development of data pipelines and data management strategies for geological information.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science and their applications in the mining and materials science fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field with a focus on materials or geosciences.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with proven experience in mineralogical data analysis or similar domains.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, including libraries like Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow/PyTorch.
• Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data mining techniques.
• Familiarity with geological datasets and scientific visualization tools.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a distributed team environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remote salary package with excellent earning potential.
• Flexible working hours and the freedom to work from any location.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous annual leave and professional development budget.
• Opportunity to shape the future of data-driven insights in mining.