Senior Data Scientist (Remote)

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist for a fully remote role within South Africa. You will drive data-driven decisions, develop predictive models, and work with large datasets to uncover actionable insights from anywhere in the country.

You will mentor teammates, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and stay at the forefront of ML research while delivering production-ready data pipelines and visualizations.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of data science experience with a proven track record deploying ML models.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Strong SQL skills and experience with big data tech (Spark, Hadoop).
• Cloud platform experience (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced ML models to solve business problems.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Design and run A/B tests and experiments to validate hypotheses.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to deploy models to production.
• Communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team growth.
• Stay updated on latest data science research and techniques.
• Build data pipelines and ensure data quality and integrity.
• Create visualizations and dashboards to present insights effectively.
• Shape the strategic direction of data science initiatives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Presentation

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Mathematics

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

AWS/Azure/GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in data-driven decision‑making, is looking for an accomplished Senior Data Scientist to join their innovative and fully remote team. This role is crucial for driving insights and developing predictive models that inform strategic business decisions. You will work with large, complex datasets, applying advanced statistical and machine learning techniques. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem‑solver with a passion for uncovering actionable insights. This position, based in Rustenburg, North West, ZA, is a fully remote opportunity, welcoming candidates from across South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sophisticated machine learning models to solve complex business problems.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement.
• Design and conduct A/B tests and other experiments to validate hypotheses.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to deploy models into production environments.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and advancements in data science and machine learning.
• Build data pipelines and ensure data quality and integrity.
• Develop visualizations and dashboards to present data insights effectively.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of data science initiatives within the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience in data science, with a strong track record of building and deploying machine learning models.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Expertise in SQL and experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms and experimental design.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team setting.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional development. Enjoy the flexibility and work-life balance of a fully remote position with a company that values innovation and data-driven insights. You will have access to cutting-edge tools and technologies and the chance to make a significant impact.