Senior Data Scientist

Manulife Insurance Malaysia; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 129,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Dental benefits

Pension plan

Job summary

Manulife is seeking an experienced data scientist to independently validate AI/ML and GenAI models, ensuring reliability, fairness, safety, and explainability before deployment. You will join the Global AI Model Validation and Governance team, providing challenge, oversight, and governance across global models.

The role requires strong collaboration with model developers and stakeholders, plus mentoring of junior data scientists and continuous governance improvements.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in a quantitative field (CS/DS/Statistics/Engineering).
• 3–5 years hands-on data science, AI/ML, model validation or risk management.
• Experience validating AI/ML models in production, including Generative AI.
• Strong ability to communicate validation findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Responsible AI concepts, governance and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Independently validate AI/ML and GenAI models, assessing design, performance, limitations, and risks.
• Conduct model testing, benchmarking, sensitivity analysis, and validation activities.
• Evaluate models for reliability, fairness, safety, explainability, and fitness for purpose.
• Provide independent challenge and remediation recommendations to model developers.
• Review model documentation and communicate findings through evidence-based reports.
• Mentor and support junior data scientists through coaching and methodological reviews.

Skills

Critical thinking

Model validation

Data science

Communication

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Master's degree (quantitative)

Tools

Validation frameworks

Job description

About the RoleThis is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced data scientist to help ensure AI models are reliable, fair, safe, and fit for purpose before they are deployed across Manulife. As part of the Global AI Model Validation and Governance (AIMVG) team, you will provide independent challenge, oversight, and validation of AI and machine learning models that support business decisions globally.Working closely with model developers, business stakeholders, and governance teams, you will assess model performance, identify risks, and evaluate compliance with Manulife's Responsible AI principles and regulatory expectations.ResponsibilitiesIndependently validate AI/ML and GenAI models, assessing model design, performance, limitations, and risks.Conduct model testing, benchmarking, sensitivity analysis, and other validation activities.Evaluate whether AI models are reliable, fair, safe, explainable, and fit for their intended purpose.Provide independent challenge and constructive feedback to model developers by identifying model weaknesses, limitations, assumptions, and risks, and recommending appropriate remediation actionsReview model documentation, assess model design and performance, and communicate validation findings through clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations.Support model inventory management, model risk operations and AI governance processes.Communicate complex technical concepts and validation findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.Contribute to the continuous improvement of AI governance, model risk management, and Responsible AI practices.Mentor and support junior data scientists through technical coaching, knowledge sharing, and review of validation approaches and methodologies.Required QualificationsMaster's degree or higher in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.At least 3-5 years of hands-on experience in data science, AI/ML development, model validation, model risk management, or a related quantitative discipline.Experience developing, testing, validating, or overseeing AI/ML models in a production environment, including exposure to Generative AI.Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to independently challenge assumptions and assess model risk.Experience interpreting model performance metrics and conducting quantitative analysis.Strong communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills.Preferred QualificationsExperience with model validation, independent model review, model risk management, or AI governance.Familiarity with Responsible AI concepts, including fairness, explainability, robustness, transparency, safety, and monitoring.Experience evaluating Generative AI, LLMs, RAG systems, or agentic AI solutions.Knowledge of AI governance and model risk regulatory expectations.Experience developing validation frameworks, testing libraries, or automated assurance tooling.Experience working in a global, cross-functional environment.What We're Looking ForA strong critical thinker who is comfortable challenging assumptions and providing independent oversight.A technically strong practitioner with experience building, testing, or validating AI models.Someone passionate about Responsible AI and ensuring AI systems are trustworthy, reliable, and safe.A collaborative team player who can translate complex technical concepts into practical business insights.The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.About Manulife and John HancockManulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html .Manulife is an Equal Opportunity EmployerAt Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail] .Referenced Salary LocationToronto, OntarioWorking ArrangementHybridSalary range is expected to be between$129,400.00 CAD - $179,400.00 CADEmployees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement .