Data Scientist

Randstad New Zealand; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 103,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

15 days sick leave

Flexible working arrangements

Reward and Recognition Framework

Professional development opportunities

Employee-led networks

Job summary

WorkSafe New Zealand is looking for a hands-on Data Scientist to apply advanced analytics, ML and AI to regulatory and organisational challenges. You will build models, explore data products, and partner with engineers and analysts to deliver impactful insights that support safer workplaces.

You will work across the Data, Analytics and AI team to prioritise projects, design AI solutions, and communicate findings clearly to stakeholders while ensuring production readiness and ongoing monitoring.

Qualifications

• End-to-end data science projects from problem to deployment and monitoring.
• Strong Python (or R) and SQL with core libraries for data science.
• Experience with or interest in LLM-based solutions such as RAG, agents, or structured extraction.
• Ability to explain technical ideas clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Willingness to learn cloud and MLOps tools within Azure ecosystem.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and validate advanced analytical models and AI solutions.
• Apply statistical, ML and AI techniques to complex problems and datasets, including LLM-based approaches.
• Design evaluation approaches for model outputs and performance measures.
• Support transition of models into operational use and monitor performance.
• Collaborate with data engineers, analysts and other specialists to deliver end-to-end solutions.
• Translate analytical findings into practical insights and communicate limitations to decision-makers.

Skills

Data Science

Python

SQL

R

Machine Learning

LLM / AI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science

Statistics

Mathematics

Computer Science

Tools

Azure

MLOps

Job description

2x Fixed-term positions until 30 June 2027 available - can be based at any WorkSafe office location

We are open to inter-agency secondments, please speak to your manager before applying

About Us

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Hello, Kia ora, Noa’ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Kia orana , nǐ hǎo, Kamusta.

WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa Is The Primary Workplace Health And Safety Regulator. Our Vision Is That Everyone Who Goes To Mahi Comes Home Healthy And Safe. We Live By Our Values

• Whakakotahi – we are united in a strong purpose
• Kōrero mai – we engage meaningfully
• Tiakina mai – we are entrusted with a duty of care

About Your Team / Ko Te Tīma

Enterprise Planning and Implementation is a new group established at WorkSafe to strengthen planning, coordination, and implementation across the organisation, particularly to improve how work is prioritised, sequenced, and supported through to delivery.

The Data, Analytics and AI team is at the heart of enabling data-driven decision-making across WorkSafe and is responsible for building and maintaining the data assets to meet WorkSafe’s data, insights and intelligence needs. Working closely with analysts, architects, engineers, and business stakeholders, the team develops the data foundations that support reporting, analytics, and organisational performance.

About The Role / Ō Te Tūranga

As a Data Scientist, you'll play a hands-on role in applying advanced analytics, machine learning and AI to complex regulatory and organisational problems. You'll work on things like risk-targeting projects that support prioritisation of regulatory activity, and AI agents that support frontline and regulatory work. Working alongside data engineers, analysts and business stakeholders, you'll design and deliver models and AI products that inform decision-making, improve our understanding of risk and harm, and support better outcomes for New Zealand workplaces.

What You'll Do/ Ko tōu ake mahi

• Design, build and validate advanced analytical models and AI solutions
• Apply statistical, machine learning and AI techniques to complex problems and datasets, including LLM-based approaches such as retrieval-augmented generation, agents and structured extraction.
• Design evaluation approaches for model and AI outputs, including test sets, human review and appropriate performance measures
• Support the transition of models and AI products into operational use, and monitor their performance once deployed
• Partner with data engineers, analysts and other specialists to deliver end-to-end solutions
• Translate analytical findings into practical insights, and clearly communicate what models can and cannot tell decision-makers

What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu

• Proven hands-on experience in delivering data science projects end-to-end, from problem definition and data preparation through to modelling, validation, deployment and monitoring in production.
• Strong Python (or R) and SQL skills, with experience using core data science and machine learning libraries
• Experience with or interest in LLM-based solutions such as RAG, agents or structured extraction, or machine learning
• Ability to explain technical concepts, evidence, limitations and uncertainty clearly to non-technical audiences
• A natural curiosity and a willingness to learn modern cloud and MLOps tools within our Azure ecosystem
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

Salary range / Awhe utu

As part of our remuneration framework, the full salary range is $103,059 -$135,004 per annum (KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contributions are additional). From 1 April 2026 our KiwiSaver employer contribution increased to 3.5%.

We Offer a Range Of Benefits Including

• 5 weeks annual leave
• 15 days sick leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• A Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make – your mahi matters
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee-led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities (Rainbow, Pacific, Women’s and Tū Rangatira Māori Network)

To be considered for this position, you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Learn more about working with us: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/careers/

Applications close: 11.59pm, 21st September 2026

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.

Skills

Data Science

Qualifications

• Degree in Data Science
• Statistics
• Math
• or Computer Science

education

Bachelor Degree&ICT