Remote Lead Data Scientist - Algorithmic Trading

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 2,468,000 - 3,456,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Competitive compensation

Performance bonus

Health insurance

Stock options

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Lead Data Scientist to head a team focused on cutting-edge algorithmic trading models. You will design, backtest, and deploy ML-driven strategies, build scalable data pipelines, and mentor junior scientists in a fast-paced fintech environment.

You will collaborate with quantitative traders and software engineers to integrate models into live trading systems, staying ahead of market trends and maintaining rigorous performance analysis while communicating results

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as CS, stats, math, physics or financial engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of hands-on data science experience with a focus on quantitative finance or algo trading.
• Proven experience leading data science teams and managing complex projects.
• Expertise in ML algorithms (deep learning, RL, time series) and statistical modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development and implementation of ML models for algorithmic trading strategies.
• Design and build robust data pipelines for large financial datasets.
• Conduct quantitative research to identify trading opportunities and refine strategies.
• Develop and validate models for market movements, volatility, and asset pricing.
• Mentor a team of data scientists and foster technical excellence.
• Collaborate with traders and engineers to deploy models into live systems.
• Perform backtesting and performance analysis of trading algorithms.
• Stay at the forefront of data science and quantitative finance advances.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to strategic direction of data science and research.

Skills

Leadership

Python

Machine Learning

Time Series

Big Data

SQL

Spark

AWS

Education

PhD or Master’s in quantitative field

Tools

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

Remote Lead Data Scientist – Algorithmic Trading

Our client, a cutting-edge fintech firm specializing in algorithmic trading strategies, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Data Scientist to join their fully remote team. This is a critical role focused on designing, developing, and deploying sophisticated machine learning models and data-driven insights to optimize trading performance. The successful candidate will lead a team of talented data scientists, mentor junior members, and drive innovation in areas such as quantitative analysis, predictive modeling, and strategy backtesting. This position is a remote-first role, offering unparalleled flexibility to work from anywhere. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of financial markets and a passion for leveraging data science to gain a competitive edge. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of our trading algorithms and data infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development and implementation of machine learning models for algorithmic trading strategies.
• Design and build robust data pipelines for collecting, cleaning, and processing large financial datasets.
• Conduct in-depth quantitative research to identify new trading opportunities and refine existing strategies.
• Develop and validate predictive models for market movements, volatility, and asset pricing.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
• Collaborate with quantitative traders and software engineers to integrate models into live trading systems.
• Perform rigorous backtesting and performance analysis of trading algorithms.
• Stay at the forefront of advancements in data science, machine learning, and quantitative finance.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the firm's data science and quantitative research efforts.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or Financial Engineering.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in data science, with a significant focus on quantitative finance or algorithmic trading.
• Proven experience in leading data science teams and managing complex projects.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms (e.g., deep learning, reinforcement learning, time series analysis) and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python (with libraries like Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch) and SQL.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of financial markets, trading mechanisms, and derivatives.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, capable of articulating technical concepts effectively.
• Must be comfortable working independently in a remote environment and demonstrate strong self-discipline.

Benefits

As a fully remote role, we offer exceptional flexibility and autonomy. Our client provides a highly competitive salary package, significantly above market rates, along with a substantial performance-based bonus. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided for employees and their dependents. A generous stock option plan is available for key personnel. Opportunities for professional growth include access to leading-edge research, advanced training, and support for attending top-tier conferences. We foster a culture of innovation and intellectual curiosity, encouraging continuous learning and skill development for all remote team members. A home office stipend is also provided to ensure a productive work environment.