Job Description Template: Data Scientist
A data scientist extracts insight from data to drive business decisions. This template helps Swiss employers write a clear, compliant job ad that attracts qualified candidates. It covers technical and soft-skill requirements, Pensum expectations, and what your company offers—salary range in CHF, benefits, and growth opportunity.
Data scientists combine statistics, programming, and domain knowledge to turn raw data into actionable insights. In a Swiss SME, this person often wears multiple hats: cleaning data, building models, communicating findings, and supporting decision-makers.
Use this template as a starting point. Adapt the Pensum (e.g. 80–100%), location (canton or city), language requirements, and compensation to match your budget and role. Be specific about tools and datasets your team actually uses.
What the role does
The data scientist will extract, clean, and analyse datasets to uncover patterns and test hypotheses. They design and deploy predictive or descriptive models, then present findings to stakeholders in clear language.
This person collaborates with engineering, product, and business teams to define questions worth asking and to implement solutions that move the needle.
- Build and validate statistical or machine-learning models using Python, SQL, or R
- Extract and prepare data from internal databases, APIs, or third-party sources
- Communicate results via dashboards, reports, or presentations to non-technical audiences
- Partner with product and engineering teams to scope data projects
- Document methods, code, and findings for reproducibility and knowledge transfer
- Identify data quality issues and recommend corrective action
Must-have and nice-to-have requirements
A must-have foundation includes fluency in Python or R, hands-on SQL, and comfort with statistics fundamentals. Your candidate should explain their thinking clearly and adapt to your tech stack.
Nice-to-haves depend on your sector. Machine learning in production? Prioritise software engineering practice. Analytics dashboards? Highlight BI tools. Domain knowledge in finance, healthcare, or manufacturing is valuable but trainable.
- Proficiency in Python, R, or both; SQL for data retrieval
- Understanding of statistical methods, hypothesis testing, and model evaluation
- Experience with a standard data workflow: explore → clean → model → validate
- Ability to write clear, well-documented code and explain technical work to non-experts
- (Nice) Experience with Tableau, Power BI, or similar dashboard tools
- (Nice) Familiarity with Git, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), or containerisation
What we offer
Be concrete. Name the actual Pensum (e.g. 80–100%), salary range in CHF (e.g. CHF 100,000–130,000 gross per annum), and specific benefits: 13th month (if applicable), flexible hours, remote-work policy, or professional development budget.
Add what makes your company different: domain challenges, tooling investment, mentorship, or career path. Swiss candidates expect transparency about employment terms, Quellensteuer implications (if relevant), and any non-standard arrangements.
- Pensum: [X]–[Y]% (e.g. 80–100%), location: [Canton/City]
- Gross annual salary: CHF [X,XXX]–[Y,YYY], 13th month [yes/no]
- Flexible working hours and [remote/hybrid/on-site] arrangement
- Annual professional-development budget or conference attendance
- Standard Swiss social insurance (AHV, IV, UVG, LAMal) per GAV or collective agreement
- Team culture, specific projects, or strategic impact relevant to your organisation
Frequently asked questions
- Where should I mention language requirements?
- In the job title or early in the 'must-have requirements' section. For example: 'Fluent in German (working level); English (reading technical documentation)' or 'German and English, both working level'. Swiss employers must be clear about which language(s) the role demands for daily communication.
- What if I don't know the exact salary?
- Research comparable roles in your canton or city using resources such as the Swiss Salary Report or JobScout24. Offer a credible range—e.g. CHF 95,000–120,000—rather than vague language. Candidates will ask anyway; clarity saves time and attracts qualified applicants.
- Should I mention employment contract type or Quellensteuer?
- Yes, if relevant. Permanent full-time employment is standard; if the role is fixed-term, say so. If you hire non-Swiss workers, mention that Quellensteuer (source withholding tax) may apply and that you will handle registration. A lawyer can advise on compliance.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.