Key Skills

Job Description

# Lead Data Scientist ## About the Role Zonneplan is looking for a Lead Data Scientist to help optimize how renewable energy is traded and how energy assets are controlled. You will develop and improve forecasting and optimization models for energy trading and asset management, while ensuring that data science solutions are reliable and production-ready. Working within the Trading & Optimization team, you will combine hands-on data science with technical leadership and people development. You will collaborate closely with software engineering, data engineering, trading, product leadership, and business stakeholders to turn complex business questions into practical, scalable data science solutions. ## Key Responsibilities * Develop and improve forecasting and optimization models that support energy trading and asset control. * Spend approximately 40–60% of your time hands-on developing data science models. * Write production-ready Python code and conduct code reviews. * Move experiments efficiently and reliably into production. * Establish and maintain a practical MLOps approach within the team. * Monitor model drift and performance and implement improvements when needed. * Coach, guide, and evaluate data scientists through 1-on-1s, development plans, and performance discussions. * Support knowledge sharing and professional development within the team. * Translate business questions into realistic data science projects. * Work with the Product Lead Trading & Optimization and business stakeholders to clarify scope, priorities, and expectations. ## Required Qualifications * Demonstrable experience developing, evaluating, and deploying data science models into production. * Strong production-ready Python skills. * Experience across the complete data science lifecycle, from experimentation and development through monitoring and continuous improvement. * Experience working with time-series data and forecasting models. * Experience guiding data scientists or a small technical team, including coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing. * WO-level education or equivalent professional level. * Pragmatic and results-oriented approach. ## Preferred Qualifications * Experience implementing or professionalizing MLOps practices. * Experience working with energy trading, renewable energy, or asset optimization environments. * Experience collaborating across software engineering, data engineering, product, and business teams. ## Skills & Competencies * Data science and machine learning * Forecasting and predictive modeling * Time-series analysis * Optimization modeling * Production Python * MLOps * Model monitoring and performance optimization * Data science lifecycle management * Code reviews * Technical leadership * Coaching and mentoring * Feedback and performance development * Knowledge sharing * Business problem translation * Stakeholder collaboration * Pragmatic problem-solving * Results orientation ## Education & Experience **Education:** WO-level education or equivalent professional level. **Experience:** Demonstrable experience developing and deploying data science models to production, working with time-series data and forecasting models, and guiding data scientists or a small technical team. ## Work Arrangement & Schedule * Location: Zwolle, Overijssel, Netherlands * Onsite * 40 hours per week * Role within the Trading & Optimization team ## Compensation & Benefits * Salary: **€5,000–€7,000 gross per month**, depending on knowledge and experience * 25 vacation days * Option to purchase additional vacation days * Travel expense reimbursement * Personal choice budget for sports, groceries, or other personal needs * Zonneplan Academy and opportunities for continued learning * Modern tools and professional development support * Opportunity to work at the intersection of domain expertise and technical depth * Collaborative environment focused on addressing energy grid congestion ## Apply Now Apply now to join Zonneplan as a Lead Data Scientist and contribute to forecasting, optimization, energy trading, and intelligent asset management while helping develop a growing data science team.

Core Responsibilities

The Lead Data Scientist will develop and improve forecasting and optimization models for energy trading and asset control while ensuring production-ready deployment. Additionally, the role involves providing technical leadership, coaching team members, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable solutions.

Requirements

Candidates must have demonstrable experience in the full data science lifecycle, including production-ready Python development and time-series forecasting. A WO-level education or equivalent professional experience is required, along with proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams.

Benefits

• 25 vacation days
• Option to purchase additional vacation days
• Travel expense reimbursement
• Personal choice budget
• Zonneplan Academy
• Professional development support