Senior Data Scientist - Insurance Analytics - Remote

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Home office stipend

Professional development opportunities

Regular virtual team events

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join a fully remote analytics team focused on pricing, risk, and customer insights in the insurance sector. The role emphasizes advanced ML modeling, data mining, and scalable data pipelines across diverse data sources.

You will mentor junior data scientists, work with stakeholders to translate business questions into data-driven solutions, and stay current with ML and AI innovations. International remote collaboration is expected.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in CS, stats, math, or related quantitative field.
• 6+ years hands-on data science with ML and statistics.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong SQL skills and handling large datasets.
• Experience with Spark or Hadoop is a plus.
• Insurance domain experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy ML models for predictive analytics, risk scoring, fraud detection, and customer segmentation.
• Extract, clean, and transform large datasets for analysis.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to uncover insights and drivers of outcomes.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and ETL processes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate needs into data science solutions.
• Communicate results clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with advances in data science, ML, and AI.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth.
• Evaluate and implement new tools to enhance capabilities.
• Ensure ethical and responsible use of data in projects.

Skills

Python

R

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Data visualization

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science/Statistics/Mathematics

Ph.D. in a related quantitative field

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in leveraging data to transform the insurance landscape, is seeking an accomplished Senior Data Scientist to join their fully remote analytics team. This position is critical for developing advanced analytical models that drive strategic decisions across pricing, risk assessment, and customer insights. As a fully remote, data-driven organization, we provide a dynamic and collaborative environment where your expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and data mining will be instrumental. You will have the opportunity to work on complex, high-impact projects, contributing directly to the company's competitive edge. This role is perfect for an experienced data scientist who thrives in a remote setting and wants to make a tangible difference in the insurance sector, impacting operations that extend to **Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA** and beyond. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy sophisticated machine learning models for predictive analytics, risk scoring, fraud detection, and customer segmentation.
• Extract, clean, and transform large datasets from various sources to prepare them for analysis.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to uncover insights and identify key drivers of business outcomes.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and ETL processes for efficient data handling.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into data science solutions.
• Communicate complex findings and model results clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI technologies.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.
• Evaluate and implement new tools and technologies to enhance the data science capabilities.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data in all analytical projects.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience as a Data Scientist, with a focus on machine learning and statistical modeling.
• 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, complex datasets.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in the insurance industry or with insurance-related data is highly preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to think critically.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote environment.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is beneficial.

Benefits

• This fully remote role offers a competitive salary, generous performance bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, and substantial paid time off.
• We provide a home office stipend and opportunities for continuous professional development, including access to online courses, conferences, and certifications.
• Our client fosters a strong remote work culture with regular virtual team events and open communication channels.
• You will have the flexibility to manage your workday and enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while making a significant impact from anywhere within the sphere of influence for **Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA**.