Senior Data Scientist - Predictive Analytics

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus potential

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan with company match

Hybrid work arrangement

Conferences and training

Stock options

Wellness programs

Generous PTO

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, South Africa, seeks a Senior Data Scientist to lead predictive analytics initiatives. You will design, develop, and deploy advanced models, analyze large datasets, and translate insights into business strategy.

The role offers a hybrid work model with collaboration across data teams. The ideal candidate holds a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field, 5+ years of experience in predictive modeling, and strong Python or R skills with ML libraries.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in a quantitative field.
• 5+ years as a Data Scientist, focused on predictive modeling.
• Proficient in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas.
• Experience with Spark/Hadoop and SQL.
• Knowledge of ML algorithms and data visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy advanced predictive models.
• Analyze large, complex datasets from diverse sources.
• Collaborate with/business stakeholders to translate needs into data solutions.
• Clean and transform data for modeling.
• Evaluate models, tune hyperparameters, and ensure robustness.
• Deploy models to production and monitor performance.
• Communicate insights through clear visuals and narratives.
• Mentor junior data scientists and help set best practices.
• Contribute to overall data strategy and architecture.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Ph.D./Master's in quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

pandas

Spark

Hadoop

Tableau

Power BI

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing insurance company in Benoni , is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Data Scientist to lead their predictive analytics initiatives. This is a challenging and rewarding role focused on leveraging vast datasets to develop sophisticated predictive models that drive business strategy and enhance customer insights. You will be at the forefront of data science, employing machine learning, statistical modeling, and advanced analytics techniques to solve complex business problems. This position offers a hybrid work model, combining the collaborative benefits of in-office interaction with the flexibility of remote work. You will work with cutting-edge technologies and a talented team of data professionals, analysts, and engineers. The ideal candidate possesses a strong academic background, extensive practical experience in building and deploying predictive models, and a passion for uncovering actionable insights from data. Join a company that is committed to data-driven decision-making and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on the business's growth and success.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced predictive models using machine learning and statistical techniques to address key business challenges (e.g., customer churn, fraud detection, risk assessment).
• Analyze large, complex datasets from various sources to identify patterns, trends, and correlations.
• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into data science solutions.
• Clean, preprocess, and transform data to ensure its suitability for modeling.
• Evaluate model performance, perform hyperparameter tuning, and ensure models are robust and scalable.
• Deploy models into production environments and monitor their ongoing performance.
• Communicate complex findings and insights to both technical and non-technical audiences through clear visualizations and compelling narratives.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the development of best practices within the data science team.
• Contribute to the overall data strategy and architecture of the organization.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on predictive modeling and machine learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and expertise in relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.
• Solid understanding of various machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning).
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, managing time and tasks efficiently.
• Demonstrated experience in deploying models into production is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and annual bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Continuous learning opportunities, including conferences and training.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and computational resources.
• Collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Generous paid time off.
• Employee stock options.
• Wellness programs and initiatives.