Junior Data Scientist (12 Months Contract - Wits Health Consortium)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences
• WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives
• In addition, WHC offers a range of products and services to Academics

POSITION INFO:
Division:  Wits Planetary Health Research
 
Main purpose of the job:

• To analyse and interpret large data sets by using statistical, machine learning and programming skills

• Parktown, Johannesburg

• Design and implement data analysis plans, using both statistical and machine learning methods
• Provide support to relevant project staff and support them in the use of programming software
• Import and export data between data management software programmes
• Process and produce accurate analyses within required timeframes
• Quality assure all data management practises in accordance with ethical, GCP and PoPI/HIPAA requirements and SOPs
• Contribute to monthly/quarterly/annual progress reports as required
• Coach and train team members to ensure the acquisition of knowledge and skills required by the organisation
• Promote harmony, teamwork and sharing of information

• Master’s Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics or equivalent

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience

• Ideally a certification in Data Analysis (R/Python/SQL/Scala/)
• Knowledgeable in machine learning techniques (clustering, tree learning, artificial neural networks)
• knowledge of advanced statistical techniques and concepts
• A high proficiency in either R or Python
• Experience with interactive visualization dashboards (e.g. R Shiny, Dash)
• Ability to use different programming environments to analyse data such as Jupyter Hub on big data clusters and/or cloud computing
• Knowledgeable in database systems (SQL, Access) and experience with climate and/or health data

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 02 April 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position