Senior Staff Data Scientist

Ultimate.ai; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Zendesk seeks a Staff Data Scientist to lead AI Security initiatives, developing ML approaches to detect anomalous activity and protect customers from abuse. You will work with Security Engineers, Software Engineers, ML researchers, and product teams to deliver actionable models and insights for production use.

You will collaborate across functions, mentor teammates, and contribute to a cutting-edge AI security strategy while staying abreast of the latest AI security trends and tools.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in CS/Stats/Math or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years applying ML/AI in fraud, anomaly detection, or security.
• Strong SQL and Python skills with data processing experience.
• Experience with AI tools to accelerate workflows (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor AI).
• Experience with large datasets and distributed computing (Spark, Snowflake).
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Run and develop the AI Security evaluation platform for testing Zendesk AI features.
• Analyze large volumes of behavioral and user interaction data to identify abuse patterns.
• Develop detection models using offline data to inform production implementations.
• Improve detection accuracy while minimizing false positives in spam/security contexts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement prevention strategies from data insights.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership on data science projects.
• Stay current with trends in AI Security and related fields.

Skills

SQL

Python

ML/AI

Statistical methods

Big data

Communication

Education

Advanced degree

Tools

Spark

Snowflake

Claude Code

Cursor AI

Job description

Job Description

About the Position

As a Staff Data Scientist at Zendesk, you will be joining the AI Security team and be responsible for envisioning and developing machine learning and AI approaches that help us understand and identify anomalous activity and AI Security risks. The role involves collaboration with Security Engineers, Software Engineers, ML researchers, and product teams to share actionable insights and models that can be used to keep Zendesk's customers safe and prevent product abuse.

Key Responsibilities

• Run and develop our AI Security evaluation platform to test Zendesk AI features.
• Analyze large volumes of behavioral and user interaction data to identify patterns of abuse, and automatize methodology.
• Develop viable detection models and techniques using offline data that can inform and guide engineering implementation in production
• Improve detection accuracy for existing spam detection projects while minimizing false positives
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement prevention strategies based on data insights
• Know the latest trends in AI Security
• Mentor and provide technical leadership on projects
• Collaborate with our Security and Product teams on emerging data challenges and provide data science expertise

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or related quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience applying ML/AI in areas such as fraud detection, anomaly detection, or security
• Strong programming skills in SQL and Python, with proficiency in data processing frameworks
• Fluency in AI-assisted programming (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor AI) and other AI tools to accelerate workflows.
• Experience with a variety of Statistical, ML, data mining, and time series techniques, including strong experience with the specificities of anomaly detection techniques and their statistical properties (e.g., knowing how to deal with unbalanced datasets, sparsity)
• Experience working with large datasets and distributed computing environments (e.g., Spark, Snowflake)
• Strong communication skills with ability to translate complex technical concepts to non-technical collaborators

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record implementing anomaly detection or AI Security evaluation systems at scale.
• Experience with AI Red Teaming tools.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and common attack vectors.
• Experience with ML model monitoring, maintenance in production, and customer impact of guardrails and firewall models.

The intelligent heart of customer experience

Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love.

Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.

As part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, we inform all applicants that artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision systems may be used to screen or evaluate applications for this position, in accordance with Company guidelines and applicable law.

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] with your specific accommodation request.