Senior Data Scientist - AI Specialization

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Data Scientist with AI/ML expertise to develop and deploy advanced models. You will extract insights from large datasets and translate results into actionable business decisions within a hybrid work setup.

The role demands a strong statistical foundation, experience with Python/R and ML libraries, and excellent communication skills to collaborate across technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist focused on AI/ML projects.
• Proven experience deploying ML models (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning).
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas).
• Strong statistical modeling, experimental design, and data mining.
• SQL and large databases.
• Familiarity with Spark is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid team.

Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and deploy machine learning models to address business challenges.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights.
• Design and implement data mining and statistical analysis algorithms.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to define key metrics and success criteria.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Develop prototypes and proof-of-concepts for new analytical approaches.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reliability of data used for analysis.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing.
• Work closely with engineering teams to integrate models into production systems.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Machine Learning

Communication

Education

Master's/PhD in Statistics/CS/Math

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

Job description

About the Role Our client, **WhatJobs Direct**, is looking for a highly analytical and innovative **Senior Data Scientist** with a specialization in **AI and Machine Learning** to join their growing analytics team in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**. This hybrid role offers the best of both worlds, combining focused remote work with collaborative in-office sessions in our **Stellenbosch** hub. You will be responsible for developing and deploying sophisticated machine learning models to extract actionable insights from large datasets, driving data-informed decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate possesses a strong statistical foundation, deep expertise in AI algorithms, and excellent programming skills, along with a passion for solving complex business problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and deploy machine learning models to address business challenges.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights.
• Design and implement data mining and statistical analysis algorithms.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to define key metrics and success criteria.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Develop prototypes and proof-of-concepts for new analytical approaches.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reliability of data used for analysis.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing.
• Work closely with engineering teams to integrate models into production systems.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on AI/ML projects.
• Proven experience in developing and deploying machine learning models (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, experimental design, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with SQL and working with large databases.
• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid team environment.

Benefits

• Join **WhatJobs Direct** in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**, and enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including medical aid and a retirement fund, and performance-based bonuses. This hybrid role offers flexibility and professional growth opportunities. You will work on challenging and impactful projects within a supportive and innovative environment. Our package includes study leave, access to advanced training, and a collaborative team culture. We also offer a car allowance and opportunities for leadership development within the AI and data science domains.