Senior Data Scientist - Machine Learning in Life Sciences

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,959,000 - 2,938,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Home office setup allowance

Flexible remote work

Job summary

Placements24 invites a highly experienced Senior Data Scientist to lead ML initiatives in the life sciences sector, driving discovery and diagnostics through advanced predictive models.

You will work remotely with cross-functional teams of researchers, engineers, and clinicians to translate data-driven insights into actionable solutions, mentor junior data scientists, and shape the future of data science in healthcare from anywhere.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MSc in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in data science and ML with life sciences focus.
• Expertise in ML algorithms (deep learning, gradient boosting, SVMs) and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in Python or R and ML libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and scikit-learn.
• Strong understanding of biological data types (genomic, clinical, imaging) and remote work capability.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement ML models for prediction, classification, and clustering in life sciences data.
• Explore and analyze large datasets to identify ML opportunities.
• Collaborate with domain experts to translate research questions into data science problems.
• Deploy and monitor ML models in production environments for performance and scalability.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth and best practices.

Skills

Deep learning

Gradient boosting

SVMs

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Genomics data

Education

PhD or MSc in a quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Data Scientist to lead machine learning initiatives within the life sciences sector, operating in a fully remote capacity. This role will involve developing and deploying advanced predictive models to tackle complex challenges in drug discovery, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. You will work with large, diverse datasets and collaborate with cross-functional teams of researchers, engineers, and clinicians to translate data-driven insights into actionable solutions. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional to shape the future of data science in healthcare, driving innovation from anywhere, contributing to a mission of improving global health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement machine learning models for prediction, classification, and clustering tasks in life sciences data.
• Explore and analyze large, complex datasets, identifying trends and opportunities for ML applications.
• Collaborate with domain experts to understand research questions and translate them into data science problems.
• Deploy and monitor ML models in production environments, ensuring performance and scalability.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth and best practices.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in data science and machine learning, with a focus on life sciences applications.
• Expertise in ML algorithms (e.g., deep learning, gradient boosting, SVMs) and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, and experience with ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Strong understanding of biological data types (genomic, clinical, imaging) and the ability to work effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive stock options.
• Full remote work flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere.
• Top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous allowance for home office setup and professional development.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects with significant real-world impact.