Senior Data Scientist - Financial Modelling

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Flexible schedule

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist with expertise in financial modelling to join a remote-first financial services firm. You will build predictive models for credit risk, fraud detection, and customer behavior, using Python, ML frameworks, and cloud data pipelines.

This role supports a global team from Mossel Bay, Western Cape, ZA, with heavy emphasis on collaboration, model validation, and communication of insights to non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics or related field.
• 5+ years as a Data Scientist with emphasis on financial modelling.
• Strong Python (scikit-learn, TF, PyTorch) and SQL proficiency.
• Experience with big data (Spark/Hadoop) and cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Solid knowledge of ML algorithms and statistical testing.

Responsibilities

• Design and operationalize ML models for credit risk, fraud, and customer segmentation.
• Analyze large datasets to identify drivers of financial performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into DS solutions.
• Build scalable data pipelines for model training and deployment.
• Validate models, run A/B tests, and monitor performance.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine learning

Statistical modelling

Data visualization

Cloud platforms

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Pandas

NumPy

Tableau/Matplotlib/Seaborn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking financial services firm, is looking for an exceptional Senior Data Scientist specializing in Financial Modelling to join their fully remote team. This role is critical for driving data-driven insights and developing advanced predictive models that underpin strategic financial decisions. You will leverage your expertise in machine learning, statistical analysis, and big data technologies to solve complex business problems and uncover new opportunities. This is a remote-first opportunity, enabling you to collaborate with a talented international team while enjoying the flexibility of working from home. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of financial analytics for our client, contributing to innovation in areas such as fraud detection, credit scoring, and customer behavior prediction. This position is ideal for a seasoned professional looking to make a significant impact in the Mossel Bay, Western Cape, ZA financial sector, remotely.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced machine learning models and statistical algorithms for financial applications, including credit risk, fraud detection, and customer segmentation.
• Analyze large and complex datasets to extract actionable insights and identify key drivers of financial performance.
• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders, product managers, and engineers to understand requirements and translate them into data science solutions.
• Build and maintain robust data pipelines for model training and deployment in a scalable, cloud-based environment.
• Perform rigorous model validation, A/B testing, and performance monitoring to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and model results clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences through presentations and reports.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and financial technology.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Develop and implement strategies for data quality improvement and feature engineering.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of data science initiatives within the organization.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on financial modelling and predictive analytics.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python (including libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy) and SQL.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of various machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and their applications in finance.
• Strong grasp of statistical modelling, hypothesis testing, and experimental design.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, capable of explaining technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a fully remote team setting.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Matplotlib, Seaborn).

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R, based on experience and expertise.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and public holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Opportunities for continuous learning through online courses, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering significant flexibility and autonomy.
• Performance-based bonuses and recognition programs.
• Collaborative and innovative remote work culture.
• Access to cutting-edge tools and technologies in data science.
• Direct impact on key financial strategies and product development.