Senior Data Scientist - Predictive Modeling

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Remote flexibility

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to lead predictive modeling efforts and deliver data-driven insights across client projects. You will work with large datasets, deploy models, and communicate results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

The role offers a flexible remote arrangement with potential travel, and you will mentor junior data scientists while staying current with ML advances and visualization techniques.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on building predictive models.
• Proficiency in Python or R, and libraries such as scikit-learn, pandas, NumPy, TensorFlow/PyTorch.
• Experience with SQL and relational databases.
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, hypothesis testing, and experimental design.
• Experience with various ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, time-series).
• Proven ability to clean, process, and analyze large datasets.
• Excellent data visualization skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with non-technical audiences.
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement predictive models using ML and statistical techniques.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into data science problems.
• Clean, preprocess, and transform data for modeling.
• Evaluate and validate model performance for accuracy and robustness.
• Deploy models into production and monitor performance over time.
• Communicate complex findings clearly through reports and presentations.
• Mentor junior data scientists and share knowledge.
• Stay up-to-date with data science advancements and modeling techniques.
• Develop data visualization tools and dashboards for key findings.
• Contribute to data strategy and best practices within the organization.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Data storytelling

Education

Master's degree in Statistics, CS, Mathematics, Economics, or related field

PhD in Statistics, CS, Mathematics, Economics, or related field

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

pandas

NumPy

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading analytics firm seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Data Scientist to join their expanding team. This role focuses on leveraging advanced statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms to build sophisticated predictive models that drive business insights and strategic decisions. You will work with large, complex datasets, tackle challenging analytical problems, and communicate your findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This is an opportunity to work on diverse projects across various industries, contributing significantly to client success. The role offers a remote work arrangement, providing flexibility and work-life balance. Join a collaborative team dedicated to delivering data-driven solutions in Pretoria and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement predictive models using machine learning and statistical techniques.
• Analyze large and complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into data science problems.
• Clean, preprocess, and transform raw data into suitable formats for modeling.
• Evaluate and validate model performance, ensuring accuracy and robustness.
• Deploy models into production environments and monitor their performance over time.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly through reports and presentations.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and statistical modeling.
• Develop data visualization tools and dashboards to represent key findings.
• Contribute to the development of data strategies and best practices within the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on building predictive models.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, pandas, NumPy, TensorFlow/PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and working with relational databases.
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, hypothesis testing, and experimental design.
• Experience with various machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, time series analysis).
• Proven ability to clean, process, and analyze large datasets.
• Excellent data visualization skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is beneficial.
• Ability to work independently and manage project timelines effectively.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Flexible remote work schedule with potential for occasional travel.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development opportunities, including training and conference attendance.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Contribution to impactful projects for diverse clients.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Home office equipment allowance.
• Access to cutting-edge analytical tools and resources.