Senior Data Scientist (AI & Machine Learning)

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Flexible hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist for a fully remote role. You will design and deploy advanced ML models, preprocess large datasets, and drive data-driven decisions across a global business landscape.

The role requires 6+ years in data science with strong ML expertise and proficiency in Python or R. You will work with cross-functional teams, mentor junior data scientists, and stay at the forefront of AI research while leveraging cloud and big data technologies to deliver scalable

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in data science with ML model development and deployment.
• Proven expertise in a wide range of ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, DL).
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with big data tech (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong statistical concepts and experimental design.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with data visualization is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement ML models to address business challenges.
• Extract, clean, and transform large datasets for analysis and modeling.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify patterns and insights.
• Evaluate and optimize model performance for accuracy, scalability, and robustness.
• Deploy ML models into production and monitor performance.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate ML solutions.
• Stay updated on AI/ML advancements and research.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to knowledge base.
• Contribute to the organization’s data strategy and roadmap.

Skills

ML algorithms

Python/R

Big data

Cloud platforms

Statistics

Remote teamwork

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Stats/Math/Physics

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

About the Role Our client, a pioneering technology firm at the forefront of artificial intelligence and machine learning innovation, is seeking an accomplished Senior Data Scientist to join their dynamic, fully remote team. This role is critical in developing and deploying advanced ML models that drive key business decisions and create cutting-edge AI-powered solutions. You will leverage your expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data manipulation to extract actionable insights from complex datasets. The ideal candidate possesses a strong academic background, significant practical experience in building and deploying ML models, and a passion for solving challenging problems using data. This is a unique opportunity to work remotely and make a substantial impact on the development of next-generation AI technologies, contributing significantly to our client's global reach, irrespective of geographical location including our Soweto, Gauteng administrative base.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms to address complex business challenges.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, diverse datasets to prepare them for analysis and modeling.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify patterns, trends, and insights.
• Evaluate and optimize model performance, ensuring accuracy, scalability, and robustness.
• Deploy ML models into production environments and monitor their performance over time.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate ML solutions into existing systems and applications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence research.
• Communicate complex technical findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge base.
• Contribute to the overall data strategy and roadmap of the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in data science, with a strong focus on machine learning model development and deployment.
• Proven expertise in a wide range of ML algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning).
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data science, such as Python or R, and associated libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of statistical concepts and experimental design.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and analytically.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical information effectively.
• Experience with data visualization tools is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, reflecting the seniority and impact of this role. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided. Employees receive generous paid time off and flexible working hours. This is a fully remote position, offering the ultimate flexibility in work location. You will have the opportunity to work on challenging and impactful AI/ML projects with a global reach, utilizing state-of-the-art tools and technologies, supported by our central operations in Soweto, Gauteng .