Senior Data Scientist - Life Sciences

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High salary potential with bonuses

Stock options and retirement plan

Fully remote with flexible hours

Annual professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist with expertise in Life Sciences to join a remote-first team. The role focuses on extracting insights from complex biological data, building analytical models, and guiding R&D through data-driven decisions.

You will collaborate with biologists, chemists, and software engineers across SA. Candidates should have a PhD or MS in a quantitative field, 5+ years in data science with life sciences emphasis, and strong Python/R skills (scikit-learn,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in a quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional data science experience in life sciences.
• Proficiency in Python or R with relevant libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and ML algorithms for life science datasets.
• Design and conduct rigorous data analyses to identify trends and predictive indicators.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to interpret results and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Create compelling data visualizations and communicate findings to diverse stakeholders.
• Contribute to data infrastructure, tools, and best practices within the team.

Skills

Python

R

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Experimental design

Communication

Education

PhD or Master's in Data Science/Statistics/CS/Bioinformatics

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a seasoned Senior Data Scientist with a specialization in Life Sciences to join their innovative, remote-first team. This role is crucial for extracting meaningful insights from complex biological and clinical datasets, driving data-driven decision-making across R&D initiatives. You will develop advanced analytical models, design experiments, and collaborate with biologists, chemists, and software engineers to tackle challenging scientific questions. The ideal candidate will possess a strong quantitative background, proficiency in statistical modeling and machine learning, and a deep interest in applying these skills to accelerate scientific discovery and development, working from anywhere within South Africa .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for analyzing diverse life science datasets (e.g., genomics, clinical trials, real-world evidence).
• Design and conduct rigorous data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and predictive indicators relevant to research and development objectives.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to define project requirements, interpret analytical results, and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Create compelling data visualizations and communicate complex findings effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of data infrastructure, tools, and best practices within the data science team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in data science, with a significant focus on life sciences applications.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and experimental design.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently and effectively in a remote environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive performance-based bonuses.
• Generous stock options package and retirement savings plan.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Annual allowance for professional development, including conferences and training courses.
• A dynamic, forward-thinking work culture that values innovation and scientific impact.