Remote Senior Data Scientist (Finance)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Remote-friendly culture

Professional development budget

Flexible work hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join a remote-first team in South Africa, contributing to banking and finance analytics. You will design models, build data pipelines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive data-driven decisions from home.

The role requires 5+ years in data science with finance experience, strong Python/R skills, and cloud & big data proficiency. Remote work offers flexibility and growth opportunities within the SA market.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a quantitative field (MS/PhD).
• 5+ years as a Data Scientist with Banking & Finance focus.
• Proficient in Python or R and ML libraries.
• Strong SQL and big data (Spark/Hadoop) experience.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent communication and remote collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop ML models and statistical algorithms for finance apps.
• Analyze large datasets for trends in markets and customer behavior.
• Collaborate with product, engineers, and analysts to scope projects.
• Build ETL pipelines for training and deployment.
• Create dashboards to monitor KPIs.
• Mentor junior data scientists and share best practices.
• Stay updated with AI/ML advances.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Machine learning

Big data

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science/Statistics/Mathematics/Data Science

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an exceptional Senior Data Scientist to join their fully remote team, contributing to their innovative Banking & Finance operations. This role is ideal for an experienced professional seeking to leverage advanced analytics, machine learning, and statistical modeling to drive data-informed strategies. You will work on challenging problems related to customer behavior, fraud detection, risk assessment, and personalized financial product development. This is a remote-first position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. We are seeking a candidate with a passion for uncovering insights from complex data and a proven ability to translate findings into actionable business recommendations. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the future of our client's digital offerings and enhancing customer experiences in the finance domain.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement machine learning models and statistical algorithms for financial applications.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify key trends, patterns, and insights related to financial markets and customer behavior.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and business analysts, to define project scope and deliver solutions.
• Build and maintain data pipelines and ETL processes for model training and deployment.
• Communicate complex analytical findings clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's best practices.
• Develop and refine data visualization dashboards for monitoring key performance indicators.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience as a Data Scientist, with a significant focus on Banking & Finance applications.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong experience with SQL and big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Proven ability to apply machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) to real-world problems.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team environment.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a generous performance-based bonus. As a remote position, it provides unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance. Our client invests heavily in professional development, offering access to online courses, conferences, and advanced training. You will be part of a forward-thinking, innovative company culture that values data-driven decision-making and continuous learning, all from the comfort of your home office.