Senior Data Scientist (Machine Learning Focus)

About the Role

Our client, a leading analytics firm based in Durban , is looking for a highly motivated Senior Data Scientist with a strong specialization in Machine Learning. This role is crucial for developing predictive models and data-driven solutions that provide actionable insights to our business stakeholders. You will be working in a collaborative environment, tackling complex data challenges and contributing to the company's strategic decision-making. This position requires you to work from our office in Durban to facilitate seamless teamwork and access to on-site resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced machine learning models for various business problems, including classification, regression, clustering, and time-series forecasting.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities within large datasets.
• Preprocess and clean complex datasets, ensuring data quality and suitability for modeling.
• Evaluate model performance using appropriate metrics and iterate on models to improve accuracy and robustness.
• Deploy machine learning models into production environments, working closely with data engineers and software developers.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Mentor junior data scientists and share knowledge within the team.
• Develop and maintain robust documentation for models, experiments, and methodologies.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their needs and translate them into data science problems.
• Contribute to the development of data infrastructure and pipelines.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience as a Data Scientist, with a significant focus on machine learning.
• Proficiency in Python or R, including libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, pandas, and NumPy.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, data mining, and machine learning algorithms.
• Experience with SQL for data extraction and manipulation.
• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Proven ability to translate business problems into data science solutions.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to a diverse audience.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Matplotlib, Seaborn).
• Ability to work effectively in a team‑oriented environment in our Durban office.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Performance‑based bonuses.
• Professional development opportunities and conference attendance.
• Generous paid time off.
• Exposure to challenging and impactful projects.
• A stimulating and collaborative work environment in Durban .
• Opportunities for leadership within the data science team.

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