Senior Data Scientist (Fintech/ML)

Role Overview: Cellulant is looking for a Senior Data Scientist to lead our data initiatives. You will be building predictive models for credit scoring, merchant risk, and transaction optimization. This role requires a balance of advanced technical skills and business acumen to drive data-driven decision making at a regional level. Responsibilities: - Lead the development and deployment of ML models for risk and fraud. - Design and implement alternative credit scoring models for merchant lending. - Perform advanced customer segmentation and churn analysis. - Build and maintain data pipelines for model training and inference. - Collaborate with engineers to integrate models into the payments platform. - Mentor junior data scientists and evangelize data-driven culture. - Communicate insights to leadership to inform strategic decisions. Requirements: - 6+ years of experience in data science or machine learning. - Expert level proficiency in Python and ML libraries (XGBoost, TensorFlow). - Deep understanding of SQL and working with large, distributed datasets. - Solid experience in credit scoring or risk management. - Strong leadership and communication skills. Nice-to-haves: - Experience with graph analytics or NLP. - Masters or PhD in a quantitative field. - Previous experience in African fintech or banking. What we offer: - Competitive salary and comprehensive health insurance. - Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning. - A leadership role in a mission-driven fintech environment. - Hybrid work flexibility and a focus on results.