Senior Data Scientist

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health benefits

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Data Scientist in Sandton, Gauteng, offering a hybrid work setup. You will lead advanced ML initiatives, build predictive models, and work with cross-functional teams to embed data-driven decisions.

The role emphasizes fraud detection, segmentation, risk modeling, and scalable data pipelines. Requires a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field and 5+ years of experience in data science, with strong Python/R, ML libraries, SQL and cloud skills.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field such as CS, stats, or math.
• 5+ years in data science, ML, or related roles, preferably in fintech/tech.
• Proficient in Python or R and ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
• Strong SQL and big data tech experience (Spark, Hadoop).
• Excellent modeling, visualization, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deploy ML models to solve business problems.
• Analyze large datasets using statistical methods and data mining.
• Extract and present insights to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineering/product teams to productionize solutions.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines, ensure data quality.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth.
• Stay updated on advances in data science and AI technologies.
• Contribute to data strategy and roadmap overall.

Skills

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

Data visualization

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Math/Data Science

5+ years in data science/ML

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

ML pipelines

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in financial technology, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist to join their sophisticated analytics team based in Sandton, Gauteng, ZA. This hybrid role involves leveraging vast datasets to extract actionable insights, build predictive models, and drive strategic decision-making across the organization. You will work on complex challenges in areas such as fraud detection, customer segmentation, and risk modeling. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced data scientist to make a significant impact in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, contributing to the company's cutting-edge solutions. The role blends in-office collaboration for team synergy with remote flexibility for focused analytical work.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced machine learning models and algorithms to solve business problems.
• Analyze large, complex datasets using statistical techniques and data mining tools.
• Extract actionable insights and communicate findings effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate data science solutions into production systems.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and ensure data quality and integrity.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Contribute to the development of the company's data strategy and roadmap.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data science, machine learning, or a similar role, preferably within the financial services or technology sector.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
• Strong experience with SQL and big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and data visualization tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Experience working in a hybrid environment, balancing in-office and remote work.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance bonuses, comprehensive health benefits, and significant opportunities for professional development and learning. Embrace a flexible hybrid work model and contribute to groundbreaking projects in Sandton, Gauteng, ZA. Join a team of passionate experts driving innovation in financial technology.