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Ontario Teachers

Principal Data Scientist

Toronto, Canada Full time

Principal Data Scientist

The Opportunity

The Principal Data Scientist leads NLP practices and capability development at OTPP.

This role works with technology and business teams across the organization to identify, design, implement and maintain NLP systems, models and related technologies.

This role identifies new and innovative ways of interpreting/visualizing data, developing statistical modes in NLP and contributing to overall data science capabilities.

Who you'll work with

You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders including the Investments and Technology divisions.

What you'll do

Maintain existing NLP systems and future development

  • Maintain, monitor and improve NLP ecosystem: data pipeline, statistical model development and/or business applications

  • Maintain and further develop and refine existing NLP algorithms with new techniques or alternative data

  • Develop new Machine Learning algorithms as needed

  • Analyze and interpret complex sets of structured/un-structured data to identify patterns and potential opportunities

  • Visualize data, metrics, and patterns to produce insightful analytics and collaborate with business teams on implementation

  • Assist with Data Engineering activities and data preparation.

Champion Machine Learning development life cycle

  • Implement best practices related to ML algorithms including model development, validation, monitoring and re-fit

  • Champion good coding practices: documentation, version control and code review practices

  • Share/coach/train others in building a well-managed model development practice within the organization

Thought leadership:

  • Stay up-to-date with current technology and industry trends

  • Explore and experiment new techniques, capability and new data sources, and make sound recommendations to business

  • Share knowledge and learning with broader team  

Management accountability

  • Leads the ongoing management of NLP related systems and models in a matrix management style

  • Develop strong relationships and demonstrate effective partnership in the analysis and generation of insights

  • Support the team in delivering key reports, insights, models and visualizations per priorities set by the business

Decision making

  • Continuously research and identify improvement opportunities for NLP model/infrastructure, alternative data source, modelling techniques

  • Decision making on necessary practices, maintenance, required technology and appropriateness of NLP related technology/data use

What you'll need

  • Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative discipline

  • Master/Ph.D degree in a quantitative discipline with data science/statistical modelling focus preferred

  • Canadian Securities Course or demonstrated equivalent experience is considered an asset

  • Good coding habits: documentation, version control, code review, etc

  • Ability to quickly learn/adopt to new technology and approaches

  • Ability to independently research on potential solutions from both industry and academic resources

  • Ability to articulate thoughts / ideas to effectively collaborate with business and IT partners

  • Strong problem-solving skills working in a team-based environment

  • Expert knowledge of mathematical and statistical modelling

  • Expert knowledge of machine learning applications, data science and other advanced analytic techniques

  • Particular focus in the areas of Natural Language Processing and related techniques and technologies

  • Strong knowledge of new AI technologies and industry trends (commercial software and open-sourced solutions)

  • 2+ years of NLP experience and 7+ years of experience in data science/machine learning

  • Experience in mathematical and statistical model development to support predictive decision making

  • Proficient programming skills in Python / R /Spark or other open source programming languages and how to leverage related libraries

  • Proficient SQL skill in mining complex and multi-sourced data environment

  • Practical NLP model development and maintenance experience is required

  • Experience with current NLP techniques and libraries in key phrase extraction, topic modelling and sentiment analysis

  • Experience in both on-premise and cloud computing environment

  • Analyzing large sets of data for patterns and correlations using visualization tools. E.g. Tableau / Power BI / D3.js / etc.

  • Proficient with Git workflow

  • Previous experience in Capital Markets is an asset

#LI-AP #LI-Hybrid

What we’re offering

  • Pay-for-performance environment that offers competitive salary and incentive

  • Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development

  • Comprehensive employer paid benefits coverage

  • Retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan

  • The opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program

  • A flexible/hybrid work environment combining in office collaboration and remote working

  • Competitive time off

  • Our Flexible Travel Program gives you the option to work abroad in another region/country for up to a month each year

  • Employee discount programs including Edvantage and Perkopolis

At Ontario Teachers', diversity is one of our core strengths. We take pride in ensuring that the people we hire and the culture we create, reflect and embrace diversity of thought, background and experience. Through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), we celebrate diversity and foster inclusion through events for colleagues to connect for professional development, networking & mentoring.  We are building an inclusive and equitable workplace where our talent is respected, accepted and empowered to be themselves.  To learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, check out Life at Teachers'.

How to apply

Are you ready to pursue new challenges and take your career to the next level? Apply today! You may be invited to complete a pre-recorded digital interview as part of your application.

Accommodations are available upon request (peopleandculture@otpp.com) for candidates with a disability taking part in the recruitment process and once hired.

Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the country where this role is located.

Ontario Teachers’ may use AI-based tools to assist in screening and assessing applicants for this position. These tools may help us identify candidates whose skills and experience align with Ontario Teachers’ objectives by analyzing information provided in resumes and applications. Our use of AI does not replace human decision-making.

To learn more about how Teachers’ uses AI with your personal information, please visit our Privacy Centre. 

Functional Areas:

Information Technology

Vacancy:

Current

Requisition ID:

6731