South Africa: Lead Data Scientist (Python, R, AWS) (Credit/Fraud) – Stellenbosch Cape Town – up to R1.8mil CTC posted by E-Merge

Are you a visionary in AI and machine learning, ready to shape the future of data-driven banking?

Join one of South Africa’s top banks as a Lead Data Scientist, driving innovation in credit, fraud detection, and customer intelligence. You’ll lead high-impact AI initiatives, mentor emerging data talent, and shape the strategic direction of data science within the business.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end design, build, and deployment of predictive models that power smarter decisions and stronger customer trust.
• Drive the bank’s AI and ML strategy, positioning it as a leader in intelligent automation and data innovation.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a high-performance, collaborative team.
• Partner with executive stakeholders to translate complex business challenges into scalable AI solutions.
• Champion data governance, ethical AI, and regulatory compliance across all projects.
• Act as a thought leader in applied machine learning and AI innovation within financial services

Qualifications and Experience:

• PhD or Master’s in Data Science, Machine Learning, AI, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics.
• 10+ years in data science or ML-focused roles, with proven leadership experience.
• Proven delivery of production-grade ML models in banking, fintech, or high-stakes industries.
• Strong proficiency in Python or R, statistical modeling, and SQL/NoSQL databases.
• Advanced experience in:
  • Credit Scoring: Logistic Regression, XGBoost, LightGBM
  • Default Prediction: Random Forest, GBMs, Logistic Regression
  • Loan Approval Automation: Decision Trees, GBMs
  • Fraud Detection: Neural Networks, Isolation Forest, SVM
  • Collections Prioritization: Clustering, Gradient Boosting
  • Customer Segmentation: K-means, DBSCAN, Hierarchical Clustering

The Reference Number for this position is NG60795 which is a Permanent Hybrid position based in Cape Town offering a cost to company of up to R1.8mil CTC negotiable on experience and ability. Contact Nokuthula at *****@*****.co.za or call her on (***)***-**** to discuss this and other opportunities.

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