Discovery Junior Data Scientist Vacancy

Opportunity Overview

Discovery invites applications for a Junior Data Scientist position in Sandton. This role is designed for individuals in the early stages of their data science careers, offering an opportunity to build strong foundations in statistical thinking, machine learning, causal inference, experimentation, and AI-enabled decision systems.

As a Junior Data Scientist, you will support the delivery of data science, machine learning, causal inference, and AI solutions. Your contributions will help improve member engagement, health outcomes, operational performance, and business decision-making under the guidance of experienced data scientists. You will progressively take ownership of defined workstreams as your skills develop.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates should meet the following criteria:

• Education: A Bachelor's or Honours degree in a quantitative discipline such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, or Applied Mathematics. Equivalent qualifications or alternative pathways will be considered based on strong analytical and technical capability.
• Aptitude: Demonstrated aptitude for quantitative problem-solving through academic achievement, research, projects, competitions, internships, or work experience.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis, statistical modelling, and machine learning.
• Experience working with SQL, relational databases, and structured data.
• Strong foundations in statistics, machine learning, experimental design, and model evaluation.
• Ability to write clear, reproducible, and well-documented analytical code.
• Prior industry experience is advantageous but not required.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be involved in:

• Data Analysis, Modelling and Causal Inference:
• Supporting data analysis, feature engineering, model development, and evaluation.
• Building and refining statistical, machine learning, and causal models.
• Contributing to experimentation, impact measurement, and evaluation frameworks.
• Maintaining reproducible analytical pipelines and documentation.
• Experimentation and Personalisation:
• Supporting test-and-learn initiatives from design through interpretation.
• Identifying personalisation opportunities using various data types.
• Developing models that improve targeting, prioritisation, and intervention effectiveness.
• Agentic AI and AI-Enabled Workflows:
• Supporting the development, evaluation, and deployment of AI-enabled workflows.
• Assessing AI solutions for reliability, safety, and business value.
• Documenting assumptions, limitations, risks, and failure modes.
• Delivery and Communication:
• Delivering well-scoped analytical, modelling, and AI-related workstreams.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to translate business problems into analytical approaches.
• Communicating findings, recommendations, and limitations clearly.

How to Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please click on the link below:

• Apply Online: https://careers.discovery.co.za/job/Sandton-1-Discovery-Place-Junior-Data-Scientist-GP-2196/1420242833/