Senior Data Scientist (AI/ML)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Professional development support

Conferences and training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join a remote analytics team in South Africa. You will design, build, and deploy advanced ML models, including NLP and deep learning, to solve diverse client challenges.

The role emphasizes production-ready pipelines, scalable data infrastructure, and collaboration with stakeholders across industries. You should have 5+ years in data science, a Masters or PhD in a quantitative field, and strong Python or R skills with TensorFlow or PyTorch.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field such as CS, stats, or math.
• 5+ years in data science with ML/AI focus.
• Proficiency in Python or R and common ML libraries.
• Experience with large datasets, big data tech (Spark/Hadoop).
• Experience deploying ML models to production.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced ML models including DL, NLP, and predictive analytics.
• Perform EDA to identify trends and anomalies in large datasets.
• Design A/B tests to validate model performance and business impact.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into data science problems.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for training, evaluation, deployment.
• Stay updated on AI/ML research and communicate findings clearly.
• Mentor junior data scientists and share best practices.
• Work with cloud platforms for model development and deployment.
• Ensure ethical use of data and AI models.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

pandas

NumPy

Spark

Hadoop

SQL

NoSQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge analytics firm specializing in predictive modeling and artificial intelligence, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist to join their remote team. This role is ideal for an individual passionate about leveraging data to drive business insights and develop sophisticated machine learning models. You will be instrumental in designing, building, and deploying AI/ML solutions that solve complex business challenges for clients across various industries. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with large datasets, explore innovative algorithms, and contribute significantly to the advancement of data science within a dynamic and collaborative remote environment, ideally based out of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape or elsewhere in SA.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced machine learning models, including deep learning, NLP, and predictive analytics.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies in large datasets.
• Design and execute A/B tests and other experiments to validate model performance and business impact.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into data science problems.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and advancements in AI/ML and data science.
• Communicate complex findings and insights effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Work with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS SageMaker, Azure ML, GCP AI Platform) for model development and deployment.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and AI models.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience in data science, with a strong focus on machine learning and AI.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, pandas, NumPy).
• Experience with data visualization tools and techniques.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, experimental design, and hypothesis testing.
• Proven ability to work with large, complex datasets and big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Experience deploying ML models into production environments.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team.
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and performance-based bonuses. You will have the opportunity to work on challenging and impactful projects using state-of-the-art technologies. Professional development and continuous learning are strongly encouraged, with support for conferences and training. This fully remote position offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere in South Africa. Enjoy a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment with a team of passionate data professionals, regardless of your location near Port Elizabeth or beyond.