Senior Data Scientist

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Within Sun Life, the Analytics & Insights teams are comprised of savvy and intellectually curious professionals who are on a mission to transform how we apply data and analytics to support Sun Life becoming client centric. An integral part of the Analytics & Insights organization, the Data Science team supports Canadian business units in their journey to leverage data and analytics as a foundational pillar in delivering business value.

Reporting to the Director, Data Science CoE, as a Senior Data Scientist you will focus on supporting Canadian business units in accelerating the growth and application of analytics in driving value. The Senior Data Scientist will leverage practical experience in applying varied data science techniques & offering advice/inputs to help with the design, development and implementation of analytics use cases.

Sun Life views success in this role in demonstration of these key attributes:

Fierce curiosity. You are drawn to discovering and leveraging new data and taking on challenging business puzzles.

An inquisitive mind. Driven to ask questions to help lead projects to commercial value and not being afraid that the innovation attempts can and will lead to failing.

A passion for solving problems. The most successful data scientists’ solution for what the right data to use, they solve using the most suitable (not most advanced) algorithms for the problem at hand and figure out how to execute and deliver with highest efficiency.

Thirst for learning. You are a data scientist who is constantly updating their knowledge of data science state-of-the-art.

Technical skills in both data and computer science. There are 3 core technical skills we look for:

• in-depth coding knowledge of an analytical tool(s) (i.e., Python)
• data science techniques and concepts
• Hand-on experience with NLP, deep learning, GenAI, and LLMs

What will you do?

• Serve as the product owner for Canada’s GenAI squad MLOps framework, standards, and guidelines, and fostering a community around it.
• Lead the development of custom ML, Gen AI, NLP, LLM Models for batch and stream processing-based AI ML pipelines. Model components will include data ingestion, preprocessing, search and retrieval, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), NLP/LLM model development, fine-tuning and prompt engineering.
• Conduct rigorous model evaluation and validation to ensure high performance, accuracy, consistency, and reliability. Optimize models for improved system efficiency.
• Deploy production-ready models in collaboration with MLOps team, ensuring reliability, scalability and smooth integration.
• Lead cross-functional agile teams to break down data science projects into milestones, activities and work plans.
• Collaborate closely with product, engineering and business teams throughout the full product development lifecycle.
• Establish and enforce best practices and governance standards for responsible ML development.
• Troubleshoot complex issues and develop innovative solutions related to models, data and pipelines.
• Mentor and guide more junior data scientists.

What do you need to succeed ?

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Statistics or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience developing complex ML/DL models from scratch.
• Demonstrated 2+ years hands-on experience with Python, Hugging Face, TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch, Spark or similar statistical tools. Expert in python programming.
• 2+ years hands-on experience developing natural language processing (NLP) models, ideally with transformer architectures.
• Knowledge of and measurable hands-on experience with developing or tuning Large Language Models (LLM) and Generative AI (GAI)
• Experienced with NLP, LLMs (extractive and generative), fine-tuning and LLM model development. Familiar with higher level trends in LLMs and open-source platforms
• Proven track record of shipping production ML systems.
• Strong communication, collaboration and leadership skills. - Passion for responsible AI and data ethics.

What will be nice to have?

• Past experience in life insurance/wealth management, or other financial services industry (e.g., retail banking, credit card, property and casualty insurance)
• Experience with contributing to Github and open-source initiatives or in research projects and/or participation in Kaggle competitions.
• Past experience in developing and deploying production grade model in cloud infrastructure.

Must be able to attain Canadian Reliability Security Clearance (administered by submitting fingerprints to the RCMP, who then conduct min. 5 year history checks) 

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family
• Pension, stock, and savings programs to help build and enhance your future financial security
• Being part of our analytics community, where we share best practices and broaden skill sets
• We’re proud to be a Best Workplace for Hybrid Work by Great Place to Work Canada

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results. 

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com .

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

At Sun Life, you can be your most brilliant self. Our supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment is one where you – and your career – can thrive. Whatever your aspirations, collaborative leaders and colleagues are ready to help you learn, grow, and succeed.

We’re a global company with a passion for people. Our purpose is to help Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. As a team of 30,000 across 26 countries, our impact is far-reaching, and locally relevant There’s power in numbers. As part of Sun Life’s growing team, you have an impact on people in your community and around the world.

Shape the future

With an optimistic eye on a brighter future, we drive to innovate. Be part of leading change, push boundaries and try new ways of working. Use data to drive bold actions. Be agile and pivot as we test and learn. At Sun Life, we’re driving transformation, sustainability and innovation for our Clients, employees, partners, and communities. Join us. Together, we can make the future brighter.