Remote Lead Data Scientist

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Stock options

Professional development budget

Flexible hours

Paid time off

401(k) match

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Data Scientist to join a fully remote team, driving strategy, development, and deployment of advanced ML models and data-driven solutions. You will lead a team of data scientists and partner with stakeholders across departments to translate needs into actionable data science initiatives.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field, 8+ years in data science with 2+ in leadership, and deep Python/R and ML expertise, including Spark/Hadoop, SQL, and

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field.
• 8+ years in data science and ML, with 2+ years in leadership.
• Proficiency in Python or R and ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with big data tools (Spark/Hadoop) and SQL.
• Strong data warehousing, ETL, and data visualization knowledge.
• Proven remote leadership and project delivery capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance and project management.
• Develop and deploy ML models and algorithms to address business challenges.
• Conduct in-depth data analysis, identify trends, and derive insights from large datasets.
• Define and champion data science best practices, methodologies, and standards.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to deploy data science solutions into production.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with advancements in ML, AI, and data science.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data for business value.
• Oversee the lifecycle of data science projects from conception to deployment and monitoring.

Skills

Leadership

Data science

ML

Python/R

Education

PhD or Master's in quantitative field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Pandas

NumPy

SQL

Spark/Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in data analytics and artificial intelligence, is looking for an exceptional Lead Data Scientist to join their fully remote team. This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving the strategy, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and data-driven solutions. You will lead a team of talented data scientists, guiding them through complex analytical challenges and fostering a culture of innovation and scientific rigor. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of delivering impactful insights from large, complex datasets and possesses strong leadership qualities. This role is critical in shaping how our client leverages data to gain competitive advantages and solve challenging business problems. You will work on cutting-edge projects that have a significant impact on our client's products and services, interacting with stakeholders across various departments to understand their needs and translate them into actionable data science initiatives. Your expertise will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what's possible with data.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance and project management.


• Develop and deploy sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms to address key business challenges.


• Conduct in-depth data analysis, identify trends, and derive actionable insights from large and diverse datasets.


• Define and champion data science best practices, methodologies, and standards.


• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate data science solutions into production systems.


• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.


• Stay current with the latest advancements in machine learning, AI, and data science.


• Identify new opportunities for leveraging data and advanced analytics to drive business value.


• Oversee the entire lifecycle of data science projects, from conception to deployment and monitoring.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related discipline.


• 8+ years of progressive experience in data science and machine learning, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.


• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.


• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy).


• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.


• Strong understanding of data warehousing, ETL processes, and data visualization tools.


• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage projects, and deliver results in a remote setting.


• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous stock option plan.


• Our client provides substantial professional development opportunities, including budget for conferences, training, and certifications.


• Employees benefit from flexible working hours, generous paid time off, and a 401(k) plan with company match.


• We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and work-life balance, supported by cutting-edge remote work tools and infrastructure.


• Join a world-class team and make a significant impact from anywhere in the world.