Senior Data Scientist - Financial Services

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Retirement savings plans

Online courses and certifications

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Senior Data Scientist role. The position supports a remote-first setup with Cape Town as a coordinating hub, enabling flexible work while operating across South Africa.

You will lead ML initiatives, build predictive models for customer behavior, risk, and fraud, and mentor junior data scientists. Ideal candidates hold a Master’s/PhD and 5+ years in financial services analytics, with strong Python/R skills and cloud experience.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a focus on financial services.
• Proficiency in Python or R, and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Strong SQL skills and experience with large-scale databases.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning models and algorithms.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights.
• Develop data mining strategies to improve data quality and collection.
• Build predictive models for customer behavior, risk, and fraud detection.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define data requirements and goals.
• Communicate findings clearly to stakeholders and mentor junior data scientists.

Skills

Machine Learning

Data Mining

Python

R

SQL

Cloud Platforms

Big Data (Spark/Hadoop)

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Math

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking financial services organization, is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Data Scientist to join their fully remote team. This exciting opportunity is based in Cape Town, Western Cape , but operates on a remote-first basis, offering unparalleled flexibility. You will leverage vast datasets to build predictive models, derive actionable insights, and drive innovation across various business functions, including customer analytics, fraud detection, and algorithmic trading. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in machine learning, statistical modeling, data mining, and proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data science. You will play a crucial role in shaping data-driven strategies and advancing our client's competitive edge in the financial sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights.
• Develop and implement data mining strategies to optimize data quality and collection.
• Build predictive models for customer behavior, risk assessment, and fraud detection.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define data requirements and project goals.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and ensure data integrity.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to best practices.
• Contribute to the development of data-driven products and strategies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a focus on financial services.
• Demonstrated expertise in machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and associated libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong experience with SQL and working with large-scale databases.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working in a remote team environment.
• Experience with A/B testing and experimental design.
• Must be eligible to work remotely from South Africa .

Benefits

• This remote-first position offers a highly competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance and retirement savings plans.
• Enjoy the flexibility and work-life balance that comes with a fully remote role, while contributing to a leading financial services firm.
• Our client invests in continuous learning and development, offering access to online courses, conferences, and professional certifications.
• Be part of an innovative and collaborative team, regardless of your physical location, working from Cape Town, Western Cape or anywhere within South Africa .