Senior Data Scientist at Miva Open University

Miva Open University is a Pan-African Open Distance e-Learning University that is committed to enabling learners reach their maximum potential by delivering top-tier tertiary education services through the use of high-quality content and immersive practical experiences.

OVERALL FUNCTION

• We are seeking a Senior Data Scientist to lead the development and implementation of data-driven and AI-powered solutions across Miva’s digital learning ecosystem.
• You will work at the intersection of machine learning, generative AI, and educational data science to drive innovation, shape intelligent learning experiences, and improve operational and learner outcomes.
• This role requires both technical excellence and strategic vision, as you collaborate across engineering, product, and curriculum teams to transform ideas into impactful, scalable features—such as personalized recommendations, intelligent tutoring systems, and adaptive assessments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, build, and deploy machine learning models and statistical algorithms to support key features such as personalized learning, intelligent content recommendations, and learner performance prediction.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of AI-enabled capabilities including chatbots, intelligent tutors, and generative feedback tools.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to build and optimize data pipelines and ML workflows, ensuring production-grade reliability and real-time responsiveness.
• Support prompt engineering and optimization for generative AI systems (e.g.,
• LLM-powered tutors and content creators), enhancing contextual accuracy and instructional relevance.
• Translate product, content, and pedagogy requirements into data science strategies that align with learner needs and business goals.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis EDA and deep-dive investigations to surface insights that drive product decisions, learner support, and growth strategies.
• Develop A/B testing frameworks and impact measurement models for evaluating interventions and features across the platform.
• Lead evaluation and integration of cutting-edge AI/ML techniques, including LLMs, transformers, and generative models, into core learning products.
• Define and champion best practices in reproducible science, ethical AI, and responsible experimentation.
• Mentor junior data scientists and help foster a high-performing, collaborative, and innovative data science culture.
• Communicate insights and results effectively to diverse stakeholders using visual storytelling, dashboards, and reports.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of model development, deployment decisions, and experimental findings.
• Contribute to the establishment of data governance standards, including data quality, lineage tracking, and privacy safeguards.
• Monitor model performance post-deployment, detect drift, and iterate to improve accuracy, fairness, and learner impact.
• Stay informed on AI and edtech trends, academic research, and practical advancements to inform Miva’s innovation roadmap.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field (PhD is a plus).
• 6 - 10 years of experience in data science, machine learning, or applied AI—ideally within edtech, SaaS, or consumer digital platforms.
• Deep experience with Python, R, and libraries/frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, or XGBoost.
• Demonstrated experience deploying ML models into production environments on cloud platforms AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Proficient in SQL and adept at working with large-scale datasets across structured and unstructured data sources.
• Strong understanding of experimental design, statistical modeling, and causal inference.
• Skilled in working with LLMs, embedding models, and generative AI frameworks, with a strong grasp of their potential in learning personalization and content generation.
• Experience with prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and performance optimization for LLM-based tools is highly desirable.
• Proven leadership in complex data science initiatives, with the ability to mentor team members and manage cross-functional collaborations.
• Strong communication, data storytelling, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Plotly.
   

Method of Application