Senior Data Scientist

SUMMARY:
We are seeking an experienced Data Scientist with specialized expertise in Generative AI and LLMs.

POSITION INFO:

We are seeking an experienced Data Scientist with specialized expertise in Generative AI and LLMs (Large Language models to join our team and help lead the implementation of cutting-edge AI solutions for a large retail customer.

Please note this role is based in Cape Town- ONSITE and is 12- month initial contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on a greenfield Generative AI project for a major retailer, where your contributions will have a direct impact on innovation and business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of Generative AI models tailored to retail-specific use cases, such as personalized recommendations, content creation, and customer engagement.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including data engineers, software developers, and business leaders, to identify opportunities for applying Generative AI within the retail environment.
• Build, train, and fine-tune models such as GPT, GANs, VAEs, or similar architectures to generate text, images, and other content that enhances the retail customer experience.
• Analyze large datasets to uncover patterns and insights that drive model development and improve decision-making processes.
• Prototype, validate, and deploy AI models into production environments, ensuring scalability and integration with existing systems.
• Stay up-to-date with advancements in Generative AI and machine learning technologies, implementing best practices and new methodologies to continuously enhance the project.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior data scientists and collaborate with the broader team to foster a culture of innovation and learning.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD in Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience as a Data Scientist, with at least 1 year focused on Generative AI projects.
• Proficiency with machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras).
• Experience in the architecture & integration of large language models (LLMs)
• Experience working with Generative AI models such as GPT, GANs, or VAEs.
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, or a similar language, and experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure).
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to transform complex business problems into AI-driven solutions.
• Strong understanding of data manipulation, processing, and cleaning techniques, with hands-on experience working with large datasets.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the retail industry or working on AI-driven customer experience initiatives.
• Familiarity with natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and deep learning techniques.
• Strong knowledge of MLOps principles for deploying and maintaining machine learning models at scale.
• Prior experience with AI ethics, bias mitigation, and responsible AI practices.