Senior Data Scientist (Finance)

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

Medical/retirement benefits

Office in Stellenbosch

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Data Scientist to join its analytics division in a hybrid role with remote days. You will develop predictive models, extract insights from large datasets, and drive data-informed decisions in finance.

The ideal candidate has a Master's or PhD in a quantitative field, 5+ years in data science, expertise in ML algorithms, Python or R, SQL, and experience with Spark/Hadoop.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field (CS/Stats/Data Science).
• Minimum 5 years in data science or related analytics roles with financial focus.
• Strong proficiency in ML algorithms and statistical modeling.
• Proficient in Python or R and data science libraries (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Solid SQL experience and handling large datasets; Spark/Hadoop a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy ML models for fraud detection, credit scoring, segmentation, and more.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and correlations for finance and customers.
• Develop and implement A/B testing to evaluate models and strategies.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into analytical solutions.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences; mentor junior data scientists.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Machine learning

Data analysis

Communication

Hybrid teamwork

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science/Statistics/Data Science

Tools

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in financial technology, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist to join their analytics division. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to work from our modern offices in Stellenbosch, Western Cape , with the flexibility of remote work days. You will be at the forefront of leveraging advanced data analytics, machine learning, and statistical modeling to drive strategic decisions within the finance sector. This position involves tackling complex challenges, developing predictive models, and extracting actionable insights from large datasets to enhance product offerings, optimize customer experiences, and improve business performance. If you are passionate about data and its transformative power in finance, this is the role for you. Your expertise will shape the future of our client's data-driven initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy sophisticated machine learning models for areas such as fraud detection, credit scoring, customer segmentation, and algorithmic trading.
• Analyze large, complex datasets from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and correlations relevant to financial markets and customer behavior.
• Develop and implement A/B testing frameworks to evaluate the effectiveness of new models and strategies.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to define data science initiatives and translate business requirements into analytical solutions.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through visualizations and presentations.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the growth of the data science team.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Contribute to the development of data infrastructure and best practices for data analysis and model deployment.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and models in all analytical processes.
• Optimize existing models and algorithms for performance, scalability, and accuracy.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data science or a related analytical role, with a strong focus on financial applications.
• Proven expertise in machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and statistical modeling techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant data science libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong experience with SQL and working with large datasets, including data warehousing and database technologies.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a hybrid team environment.
• Experience in financial modeling, risk analysis, or algorithmic trading is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business problems into data science solutions.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with significant bonus potential based on performance.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility with office and remote days in Stellenbosch, Western Cape .
• Opportunities for professional development, attending conferences, and further education.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and data resources.
• Engage in challenging and impactful projects in the FinTech space.
• Collaborate and innovative work culture.