Remote Lead Data Scientist - AI/ML

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Competitive compensation

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to steer the company's AI and ML initiatives on a fully remote basis. You will guide a team of data scientists, shape the strategy, and oversee model development from concept to production.

The role requires a Ph.D. or Master's in a quantitative field, 7+ years in data science with 3+ in leadership, deep knowledge of Python/R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and cloud platforms. You will collaborate across product and engineering and ensure robust ML pipelines.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in data science and ML, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven track record of leading AI/ML projects from conception to deployment.
• Expertise in Python or R and libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn.
• Strong understanding of ML algorithms and statistical modeling techniques.
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, fully remote environment.
• Experience with MLOps is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists and ML engineers.
• Define strategy and roadmap for AI/ML initiatives.
• Design, develop, and deploy advanced ML models for various applications.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate ML models into production systems.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and model evaluation.
• Stay current with AI/ML research and opportunities for innovation.
• Communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Oversee data governance and ethical considerations in AI/ML development.
• Contribute to robust data pipelines and MLOps infrastructure.

Skills

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Leadership

Communication

NLP

Deep learning

Reinforcement learning

Education

Ph.D. in CS/Statistics/Math

Master's degree in a quantitative field

Tools

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

MLflow

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in artificial intelligence solutions, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their machine learning initiatives on a fully remote basis. This leadership role involves guiding a team of talented data scientists, defining the strategic direction for AI/ML projects, and driving the development and deployment of cutting-edge algorithms. You will work on complex, impactful projects that leverage large datasets to solve challenging business problems. This remote-first position offers the opportunity to work with a globally distributed team and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in AI. We are looking for a candidate with a deep technical expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a passion for innovation. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative, intellectually stimulating environment and wants to make a significant impact from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists and machine learning engineers.
• Define the strategy and roadmap for AI/ML initiatives within the organization.
• Design, develop, and deploy advanced machine learning models for various applications (e.g., prediction, classification, recommendation systems).
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate ML models into production systems.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and model evaluation.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in AI/ML and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Communicate complex findings and technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Oversee data governance and ethical considerations related to AI/ML development.
• Contribute to the development of robust data pipelines and MLOps infrastructure.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in data science and machine learning, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven track record of successfully leading AI/ML projects from conception to deployment.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn.
• Strong understanding of various ML algorithms (e.g., deep learning, NLP, reinforcement learning) and statistical modeling techniques.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and fully remote work environment.
• Experience with MLOps best practices is a plus.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote position offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary, significant bonus potential, and an excellent benefits package including comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plans.
• Professional development, including support for conferences and continuous learning, is a priority.