Senior Data Scientist - Machine Learning (Stellenbosch)

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Stock options

Medical aid

Retirement annuity

Generous leave

Professional development

On-site gym

Team-building events

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a Senior Data Scientist specializing in machine learning to develop and deploy models that drive product innovation and optimize operations. This on-site, full-time role requires close collaboration with data engineers, product managers, and stakeholders.

You will work with large datasets, design algorithms, and guide projects from conception to production, mentoring junior data scientists and shaping the organization's data strategy.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field.
• 5+ years in data science with a ML focus.
• Proficient in Python or R with ML libraries.
• Strong understanding of ML algorithms (regression, trees, SVMs, NN, NLP).
• Experience with large-scale data processing frameworks and databases.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy ML models for predictive analytics.
• Extract, clean, and transform large datasets.
• Perform exploratory data analysis to uncover insights.
• Evaluate and optimize model performance with metrics and validation.
• Collaborate with software engineers to deploy models to production.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and feature engineering processes.
• Stay current with ML/AI advancements.
• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to data strategy and roadmap.

Skills

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Pandas

NumPy

Spark

SQL

NoSQL

ML algorithms

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Stats/Math/Physics or related field

Tools

Spark

SQL

NoSQL

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading innovator in financial technology, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist specializing in Machine Learning to join their team based in Stellenbosch . This role is central to developing and deploying advanced machine learning models that drive product innovation, enhance customer experiences, and optimize business operations. You will work with large, complex datasets, applying cutting-edge algorithms and statistical techniques. This is an on-site position, requiring full-time presence in our Stellenbosch office, facilitating close collaboration with data engineers, product managers, and other key stakeholders. We are looking for a thought leader who can guide projects from conception to production, making significant contributions to our data-driven strategies. The ideal candidate possesses strong technical acumen and a passion for solving challenging business problems through data.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement machine learning models for predictive analytics, classification, clustering, and anomaly detection.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from various sources.
• Perform exploratory data analysis to uncover trends, patterns, and insights.
• Evaluate and optimize model performance using appropriate metrics and validation techniques.
• Collaborate with software engineers to deploy machine learning models into production environments.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and feature engineering processes.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to the overall data strategy and roadmap of the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on machine learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy).
• Solid understanding of various machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, decision trees, SVMs, neural networks, NLP).
• Experience with large-scale data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark) and databases (SQL, NoSQL).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to project success in Stellenbosch .
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Proven track record of delivering data science projects from inception to production.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, complemented by annual performance bonuses and potential stock options.
• Employees enjoy comprehensive medical aid, a retirement annuity fund, and generous leave entitlements.
• The position in Stellenbosch provides a vibrant office environment with state-of-the-art facilities.
• We offer extensive opportunities for professional development, including training courses, conference attendance, and support for further education.
• Additional benefits include subsidized meals, on-site gym facilities, and regular team-building events.
• Our client is committed to fostering a stimulating and inclusive workplace.