Lead Data Scientist - AI & Machine Learning Research
Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Listed on 2026-10-18
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IT/Tech
Machine Learning/ ML Engineer, Data Scientist, AI Engineer (Applied/Software), AI Business & Operations
What Jobs Direct is actively seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead our cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning research initiatives. This is a fully remote position, offering a unique opportunity to work with a global team of brilliant minds on groundbreaking projects. You will be instrumental in defining the strategic direction of our AI/ML efforts, leading a team of talented data scientists, and driving the development of novel algorithms and predictive models.
The ideal candidate will possess a deep theoretical understanding coupled with extensive practical experience in applying advanced statistical and computational techniques to solve complex real-world problems. Your work will directly impact the future of our product offerings and competitive edge. We are looking for a thought leader who thrives in a dynamic, research-oriented, and fully remote environment, capable of translating complex scientific concepts into actionable insights and scalable solutions.
- Lead the research and development of advanced AI and Machine Learning models, algorithms, and methodologies.
- Define the strategic roadmap for AI/ML initiatives, aligning with business objectives and scientific innovation.
- Mentor, guide, and manage a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research culture.
- Design and implement scalable machine learning pipelines for data processing, model training, and deployment in a remote setting.
- Conduct in-depth data analysis, feature engineering, and model evaluation using large, complex datasets.
- Stay at the forefront of AI/ML research, identifying and exploring new techniques, tools, and technologies.
- Publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals, and present technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate AI/ML models into production systems.
- Ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI systems.
- Drive innovation and thought leadership in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field with a strong focus on AI/ML.
- Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a leadership or lead role.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and deploying sophisticated machine learning models (e.g., deep learning, reinforcement learning, NLP).
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., Tensor Flow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
- Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Strong theoretical understanding of statistical modeling, algorithms, and data structures.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams in a remote work environment.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
- Published research or contributions to open-source AI/ML projects are highly desirable.
- Highly competitive salary and significant performance-based bonuses.
- Fully remote work arrangement with flexibility.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and research resources.
- Stock options or equity in a rapidly growing tech company.
- Advanced computing resources and access to state-of-the-art tools.
- Retirement savings plan with company matching.
- Unlimited paid time off and holidays.
- Opportunity to work on challenging and impactful research problems.
- Collaborative and intellectually stimulating remote work environment.
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