Senior Data Scientist - AI/ML Focus

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Performance bonus

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal to lead the development and deployment of advanced machine learning and AI solutions. You will explore data, engineer features, build models, and collaborate with engineers, PMs, and analysts to drive data-informed strategies and products.

You will mentor junior data scientists, stay current with the latest ML/AI techniques, and identify opportunities to leverage data analytics for business value in a dynamic, data-driven

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a quantitative field with strong research background.
• 5+ years of professional data science experience with ML model deployment.
• Proficiency in Python or R and related ML libraries.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced ML models for business needs.
• Perform EDA, feature engineering, and data mining on large datasets.
• Develop predictive models, NLP solutions, and evaluation metrics.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate models into production pipelines.
• Communicate insights clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay up-to-date with ML/AI advancements and mentorship of juniors.
• Identify data-driven opportunities to create business value.

Skills

Python/R proficiency

TensorFlow/PyTorch

Big data (Spark/Hadoop)

ML model deployment

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Stats/Math

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

pandas

NumPy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in data-driven solutions, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Data Scientist to join their team in **Durban, KwaZulu-Natal**. This role is crucial for developing and implementing advanced machine learning models and artificial intelligence solutions that drive business insights and product development. You will be at the forefront of data exploration, model building, and deployment, working with complex datasets to solve challenging problems. This position requires a strong analytical mindset, deep technical expertise, and a passion for uncovering actionable insights from data. The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and business analysts, to deliver data-informed strategies and products. If you are looking to make a significant impact and grow your career in a stimulating environment, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms to address business needs.
• Perform exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and data mining on large, complex datasets.
• Develop and implement predictive models, classification algorithms, and natural language processing solutions.
• Evaluate model performance, identify areas for improvement, and iterate on solutions.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate models into production systems and pipelines.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations 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 knowledge base.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data analytics and machine learning to drive business value.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in data science, with a proven track record in building and deploying ML models.
• Strong proficiency in Python or R, including libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, pandas, and NumPy.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to translate business problems into data science solutions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to a diverse audience.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, performance-based bonuses, and ample opportunities for professional development and training. You will be working in a state-of-the-art facility in **Durban**, a city known for its vibrant culture and coastal beauty. We foster a collaborative and innovative work environment where cutting-edge research and development are encouraged. Join a team that is pushing the boundaries of data science and making a real-world impact.