Senior Data Scientist - Financial Modeling

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,985,000 - 3,143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Performance bonuses

Fully remote

Global health insurance

Home office allowance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist with a specialization in Financial Modeling to join their fully remote team. Develop advanced predictive models and analytical solutions that drive strategic decision-making within the banking and finance sector, leveraging large datasets to uncover insights and translate complex findings into actionable recommendations for business stakeholders.

The role requires a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a quantitative field (e.g., CS, Stats, Math, Economics)
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist focusing on financial models
• Strong Python or R with data libraries (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn)
• Solid grasp of statistical modeling, ML algorithms, and deep learning frameworks
• Experience with big data tech (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)
• Ability to work autonomously in a remote-first environment

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical and ML models for financial forecasting and risk assessment
• Clean, process, and analyze large datasets from diverse sources
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and analysts to define data-driven product strategies
• Communicate complex results clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders via visualizations
• Stay current with data science and financial modeling advancements
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth

Skills

Python

R

Statistical modeling

ML algorithms

Education

Ph.D. or Master's degree in a quantitative field

Tools

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist with a specialization in Financial Modeling to join their fully remote team. This position is integral to developing advanced predictive models and analytical solutions that drive strategic decision-making within the banking and finance sector . You will leverage large datasets to uncover insights, build sophisticated algorithms, and translate complex findings into actionable recommendations for business stakeholders. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge data science challenges from anywhere, contributing directly to the company's innovation and competitive edge.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical and machine learning models for financial forecasting, risk assessment, and customer behavior analysis.
• Clean, process, and analyze large, complex datasets from various sources.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and business analysts to define data-driven product strategies and features.
• Communicate complex analytical results and insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences through visualizations and presentations.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and financial modeling techniques.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's overall technical growth and best practices in financial modeling .

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on building and deploying financial models.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with data manipulation and analysis libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn).
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and deep learning frameworks.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work autonomously in a remote-first environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with equity options and performance bonuses.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance.
• Comprehensive global health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous allowance for home office setup and professional development.
• A forward-thinking, collaborative culture that values innovation and data-driven insights in the financial industry .