Senior Data Scientist (Finance)

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Competitive compensation

Continuing education opportunities

Support for conferences

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist for a fully remote role across South Africa. You will leverage advanced statistical analysis, ML, and data mining on financial datasets to build predictive models and optimize strategies.

The team emphasizes independent work and collaboration in a remote-first environment. The ideal candidate has a strong background in ML techniques, data visualization, and communication to translate complex findings for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Statistics, CS, or Mathematics.
• Minimum of 5 years of data science experience focused on financial applications.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries like Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Strong ML expertise including regression, classification, clustering, and deep learning.
• Experience with SQL and big data technologies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement ML models for financial forecasting, risk, and fraud detection.
• Extract, clean, and transform large financial datasets.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends and insights.
• Develop data visualizations and dashboards for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with business units to deliver analytical solutions.
• Mentor junior data scientists.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and security.

Skills

5+ years experience

Financial analytics

Strong communication

Problem solving

Education

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

Tools

Python

R

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist to join their innovative and expanding analytics team. This is a fully remote position, enabling you to contribute your expertise from anywhere within South Africa. The successful candidate will leverage advanced statistical analysis, machine learning, and data mining techniques to extract valuable insights from complex financial datasets. You will play a critical role in developing predictive models, optimizing financial strategies, and driving data-informed decision‑making across the organization. As a remote‑first company, we foster a collaborative online environment, providing cutting‑edge tools and support to ensure your success. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of financial analytics and make a significant impact within a forward‑thinking institution. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive remote workforce where talent can flourish regardless of location.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for financial forecasting, risk assessment, and fraud detection.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from various sources.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Develop data visualizations and dashboards to communicate findings effectively to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their data needs and translate them into analytical solutions.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and security throughout the data lifecycle.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data science, with a focus on financial applications.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and associated libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Expertise in machine learning techniques, including regression, classification, clustering, and deep learning.
• Experience with SQL and database management.
• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fully remote setting.

Benefits

• This fully remote role offers a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including top‑tier medical coverage, retirement planning options, and ample paid time off.
• Our client provides access to advanced technological tools and platforms, continuous learning opportunities, and support for attending industry conferences.
• Join a collaborative and innovative team environment that values work‑life balance and employee well‑being.
• This is an exceptional chance to advance your career in data science within the financial sector, contributing to significant advancements from your home office.
• The company embraces a remote‑first culture, ensuring seamless collaboration and support for all team members.