Senior Data Scientist - AI, ML for Risk Analytics (Flexible)

Randstad Digital New Zealand; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 121,000 - 158,000; 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 seeking a Senior Data Scientist to apply advanced analytics, machine learning and AI to regulatory and organisational challenges. You will develop models and AI products that inform decisions and improve workplace safety outcomes.

You will collaborate with data engineers, analysts and stakeholders to deliver end-to-end solutions, while mentoring others and advancing MLOps practices. This role offers a flexible work environment across NZ locations.

Qualifications

• Substantial hands-on experience 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 LLM-based solutions such as RAG, agents or structured extraction, or strong classical ML depth and a demonstrated interest in developing this capability
• Sound judgement in model validation, including selecting appropriate performance measures and identifying risks such as data leakage, overfitting and class imbalance
• Experience working in a cloud environment (Azure preferred) and familiarity with MLOps practices
• Strong capability working with large, complex or incomplete datasets
• Ability to explain technical concepts, evidence, limitations and uncertainty clearly to non-technical audiences
• Experience mentoring others or lifting technical practice within a team
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience

Responsibilities

• 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
• Set and lift technical practice across the team, including code review, reproducibility, documentation and MLOps
• Mentor and support less experienced data scientists
• Translate analytical findings into practical insights, and clearly communicate what models can and cannot tell decision-makers

Skills

Python

SQL

LLM / AI techniques

Cloud (Azure)

Mentoring others

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in DS/Statistics/Math/CS

Tools

Azure

RAG

MLFlow / MLOps

Job description

WorkSafe New Zealand is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to apply advanced analytics, machine learning and AI to regulatory and organisational challenges. You will develop models and AI products that inform decisions and improve workplace safety outcomes.

You will collaborate with data engineers, analysts and stakeholders to deliver end-to-end solutions, while mentoring others and advancing MLOps practices. This role offers a flexible work environment across NZ locations.