Careers for a mathematician/statistician in South Africa

[u/supremeNYA]

Hello all

I’m about to finish my PhD in applied mathematics and want to explore non-academia options.

To briefly sum up my qualifications: I have an undergraduate in both applied mathematics as well as mathematical statistics. My masters is in applied mathematics. Furthermore, I am finishing up some formal programming certificates as well.

Regarding my work and skillset, the vast majority of it revolves around analysing complex systems and building mathematical models. This was done in many different settings.

Now as I said, I want to explore other careers options available to me, not just those in academia. What jobs are there in Cape Town (if any) for someone with my background?

Overseas (particularly Europe) it seems like mathematicians and statisticians are in high demand, but I’m just not sure whether it is the case here in South Africa (especially in Cape Town).

Thank you

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[u/silverdotos]

Model development in Banking.

Our team is full of mathematicians and physicists.

The business side can be taught much easier than math/analysis background

[u/1vertical]

Statistician for Clinical trials. Easier to work for contract research organisations (CROs) than drug developers (Takeda, Bayer, etc.) at the start. I'm sure you can get into finances too but I have no experience in that industry.

[u/supremeNYA → u/1vertical]

Thanks! Will definitely have a look there

[u/imheretocomment]

Radar systems. https://www.reutechradar.com/careers/

[u/supremeNYA → u/imheretocomment]

Thanks! Will oogle them a bit

[u/youdontgohereeither]

Gambling formulation. No lies. Gambling needs load and loads of super smart mathematicians to calculate all the maths behind slots and odds.

[u/AverageGradientBoost]

Data Scientist/Analyst

[u/rantingdemon]

Actuary?

[u/supremeNYA → u/rantingdemon]

Bit late to restart the whole actuary route I think

[u/Chuckydnorris → u/supremeNYA]

Actuary here. Yes and no, I do know someone who raced through the actuarial board exams after studying maths and physics, and your stats should mean you are exempt from 2 or 3 exams already.

Anyway, if you want to get into data science then start teaching yourself SQL, Excel, R and Python.

Quantitive Finance is also an option, not sure if you have to study mathematical finance specifically for that or not but the 1.5 year masters program at UCT is very well funded.

[u/supremeNYA → u/Chuckydnorris]

I haven’t thought of those two. Will definitely give them a look, thanks!

[u/Fred9318]

I work for a CRO (data engineer) and I work closely with the statistical programmers and statisticians. With your background, I think you will find it a bit boring to be honest. It is stable/pays well, so if you don't mind the work being a bit repetitive you should be fine. They are always looking for statisticians and growth is quick, within 5-7 years you could earn R1m+ per year.

[u/DaRealGladi8r]

Oddly enough, the cyber security industry needs you

[u/Abstract_exsistance]

Congratulations!!! I took a statistics course and DAMN that was quite DIFFICULT. I know you are going to find a good job and a company will definitely use your talent

[u/nimbus3008]

LMGTFY