Senior Data Scientist (Remote-First)

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is hiring a remote-first Senior Data Scientist to build advanced ML models, drive data-driven decisions, and extract actionable insights from complex datasets.

You will mentor junior data scientists, collaborate with product and engineering teams, design production pipelines, and help shape the strategic direction of the company’s data science capabilities within a global analytics context.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a quantitative field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in data science or ML.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).
• Strong SQL and data warehousing experience.
• Experience deploying ML models to production.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy sophisticated ML models and algorithms.
• Perform in-depth data analysis including data cleaning, feature engineering, and EDA.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for model training and deployment.
• Collaborate with product and engineering teams to integrate DS solutions into products.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay updated on latest DS, ML, and AI advancements.
• Mentor junior data scientists and foster learning culture.
• Develop strategies for data acquisition, storage, and management.
• Contribute to ethical considerations and best practices in AI.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Remote collaboration

Mentoring

Communication

Education

PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

NumPy

Spark

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative global analytics firm, is establishing a remote-first team and seeking a Senior Data Scientist to be a cornerstone of this new initiative. While the role is fully remote, the successful candidate will be based within South Africa, ideally with connections to the Rustenburg area for potential team gatherings. This position is critical for developing advanced analytical models, driving data-driven decision-making, and extracting actionable insights from complex datasets. You will leverage cutting-edge machine learning techniques and statistical modeling to solve challenging business problems. As a senior member, you will mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the strategic direction of our client's data science capabilities. This is a remote-first role, emphasizing asynchronous communication and digital collaboration tools.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms.
• Perform in-depth data analysis, including data cleaning, feature engineering, and exploratory data analysis.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for model training and deployment.
• Collaborate with product and engineering teams to integrate data science solutions into products and services.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of learning and innovation.
• Develop strategies for data acquisition, storage, and management.
• Contribute to the ethical considerations and best practices in AI and data usage.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in data science or machine learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, and associated libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).
• Strong experience with SQL and data warehousing concepts.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Excellent understanding of statistical modeling, experimental design, and hypothesis testing.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) is a plus.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, especially in a remote setting.
• Ability to work independently and manage projects effectively.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous home office setup stipend.
• Flexible working hours and unlimited vacation policy.
• Opportunities for cutting-edge research and development.
• Professional development budget for conferences and courses.
• The flexibility and autonomy of a remote-first work environment.