Job Description

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.

• 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.

• 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.