Senior Data Scientist, Code Modules — Impactful NZ Govt

Stats NZ; Wellington; On-site; NZD 97,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5 hours work week

Sick leave — 15 days

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Stats NZ is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to lead development of reusable data modules and analytics for integrated data research and official statistics. You will work closely with the Principal Data Scientist to deliver 15–30 new or upgraded code modules yearly while maintaining an existing library of ~70 modules, ensuring quality and governance.

The role blends research, data science, and data engineering, focusing on practical, scalable solutions and collaboration across stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Operations Research, or a related field.
• Five or more years' experience in quantitative or qualitative research, analytics, data science, or statistical analysis.
• Strong database analytics and statistical programming skills, particularly SQL and R.
• Experience developing robust, reusable analytical code and documentation.
• Strong attention to quality, testing, documentation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to apply best practice and contribute ideas for improving existing methods, tools, and processes.
• Experience collaborating with technical stakeholders to solve complex problems.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to Teao Māori and tikanga Māori.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain reusable data products for integrated data research and statistical production.
• Deliver a growing portfolio of code modules across the module lifecycle.
• Help streamline development processes and improve documentation and QA practices.
• Support transition of Code Modules to future-state environments including Databricks.
• Collaborate with the team to shape nationally significant data assets used across government.

Skills

SQL

R

Data science

Analytical coding

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Tertiary degree in Data Science/Statistics/Math/ Econometrics/CS/OR

Tools

Databricks

Job description

Stats NZ is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to lead development of reusable data modules and analytics for integrated data research and official statistics. You will work closely with the Principal Data Scientist to deliver 15–30 new or upgraded code modules yearly while maintaining an existing library of ~70 modules, ensuring quality and governance.

The role blends research, data science, and data engineering, focusing on practical, scalable solutions and collaboration across stakeholders.