Data Scientist

National Research Council of Canada

Ottawa

Hybrid

CAD 120,000 - 168,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Job summary

National Research Council of Canada seeks a Data Scientist to join the Data Analytics Centre within the Digital Technologies Research Centre in Ottawa. You will work with Canadian SMEs to scope and solve data-driven business problems, across the full lifecycle from client meetings to delivering practical results.

Reporting to the Team Leader, you will join small multidisciplinary teams, applying applied analytics, ML, and AI. Strong communication and project skills are essential.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in data science, statistics, CS, or a related field; or a bachelor’s with substantial applied data science experience.
Experience applying data science, statistics, ML, or analytics to real-world problems.
Strong communication and ability to translate client needs into analytical approaches.

Responsibilities

Engage with Canadian SMEs to scope data-driven projects and articulate outcomes.
Develop statistical, ML, or AI models and deliver actionable insights.
Build reproducible workflows, code, and documentation for clients.
Communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to manage timelines and deliverables.
Contribute to responsible, transparent, and reproducible AI practices.

Skills

Data science

Machine learning

Python

Data analysis

Education

Master’s degree in data science / statistics / CS

Bachelor’s degree with significant applied data science experience

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

CI/CD

MLOps

Job description

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City:Ottawa

OrganizationalUnit:Digital Technologies

Classification:RCO

Tenure:Term

Duration: 2 years

Language Requirements:English or French

Work arrangements:

Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

The role

We are seeking a Data Scientist to join the Data Analytics Centre within the NRC’s Digital Technologies Research Centre.

In this role, you will work directly with Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to help them understand, scope, and solve data-driven business problems. You will contribute across the full project lifecycle: meeting with clients, identifying opportunities, translating business needs into technical work plans, developing statements of work, executing analyses and models, and delivering practical, high-quality results.

Reporting to the Team Leader, Data Analytics Centre, you will work in small multidisciplinary teams on applied analytics, machine learning, and AI projects. Your work will help Canadian companies make better decisions, improve operations, adopt digital technologies, and accelerate innovation.

This position is well suited to someone who combines strong technical data science skills with excellent communication, judgement, teamwork, and time management.

Key Responsibilities

Client Engagement and Project Scoping

Meet with Canadian SMEs to understand their business context, operational challenges, data assets, and decision-making needs.

Help clients clarify and refine business problems into feasible data science, analytics, or AI projects.

Contribute to project scoping, including technical approaches, work plans, timelines, assumptions, risks, and deliverables.

Communicate clearly with clients throughout the project lifecycle, including managing expectations and explaining analytical findings.

Applied Data Science and Statistical Modelling

Acquire, clean, process, explore, and analyze structured and unstructured data.

Develop statistical, machine learning, and analytical models to address client problems.

Apply appropriate methods such as regression, classification, clustering, forecasting, optimization, natural language processing, simulation, or other relevant techniques.

Evaluate model performance, uncertainty, limitations, and practical usefulness.

Translate analytical results into actionable recommendations for clients.

Coding, Reproducibility and Delivery

Write clear, efficient, maintainable code in Python, R, or similar languages.

Develop reproducible analytical workflows using notebooks, scripts, version control, and good documentation practices.

Build prototypes, dashboards, data pipelines, reports, and reusable analytical tools.

Deliver client-ready code, models, documentation, and analytical outputs.

Balance rigour with practical delivery timelines in a project-based environment.

Visualization and Communication

Create clear visualizations, dashboards, and reports that communicate insights effectively.

Present technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Prepare concise written deliverables, including summaries, reports, presentations, and recommendations in plain language.

Teamwork and Continuous Learning

Work collaboratively in small teams of data scientists, software developers, data engineers, researchers, and business development staff.

Manage multiple priorities and deadlines across client-facing projects.

Stay current with emerging data science, machine learning, and AI practices.

Contribute to NRC practices for responsible, transparent, and reproducible AI.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A master’s degree in data science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, engineering, operations research, economics, or another relevant field; or

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field combined with significant experience in applied data science, statistics, analytics, machine learning, or related work may be considered.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

Applying data science, statistical analysis, machine learning, or advanced analytics to solve real-world problems.

Working with clients, stakeholders, or end users to understand needs, gather requirements, and define analytical approaches.

Cleaning, processing, exploring and analyzing data from diverse sources.

Developing analytical models, prototypes, dashboards, reports, or decision-support tools.

Coding in Python, R, or a similar language for data analysis, modelling, or automation.

Communicating technical findings to non-technical audiences through presentations, reports, visualizations, or client briefings.

Working in teams to deliver projects within defined timelines.

Assets

Experience with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or GCP.

Experience in modern visualization frameworks and interactive dashboards.

Experience with MLOps, containerization, CI/CD, model deployment, or production analytics workflows.

Experience with natural language processing, generative AI, computer vision, optimization, forecasting, or simulation.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

English or French

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

Strong knowledge of statistical, mathematical, and machine learning methods and their application to practical problems.

Ability to interpret client requirements and translate them into feasible analytical approaches.

Ability to writing clean, reproducible, and maintainable production-ready code.

Behavioural competencies

Research Technician/Technologist - Communication (Level 3)

Research Technician/Technologist - Creative thinking (Level 3)

Research Technician/Technologist - Results orientation (Level 3)

Research Technician/Technologist - Client focus (Level 3)

Research Technician/Technologist - Teamwork (Level 3)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Research Technician/Technologist;

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at RCO-3 or 4 level,with a salary range of $119,688 to $168,192.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level.As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

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