Senior Data Scientist

Our Canadian Artificial Intelligence (AI) team is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Data Scientist with a strong emphasis on Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLM). This role requires a unique blend of technical expertise and business insight to transition from promising hypotheses and ML experiments to fully-fledged AI/ML products with real-world impact. As a specialist in Generative AI techniques, you will work with innovative closed and open-source Gen AI models, apply standard methodologies in prompt engineering, RAG applications, and fine-tune LLM models to drive business outcomes.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement machine learning models, focusing on Generative AI techniques and LLM, to solve sophisticated business problems, using a variety of algorithms and techniques.

• Streamline Generative AI model development and deployment using Azure infrastructure and capabilities like cognitive search and Vectordb, and frameworks such as Langchain, Semantic Kernel, and Autogen.

• Apply prompt engineering techniques, work with RAG applications, and fine-tune language models to improve their performance in specific tasks.

• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to plan, scope, implement, and sustain predictive analytics solutions.

• Design and complete experiments to validate and optimize machine learning models, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.

• Deploy machine learning models and applications on cloud platforms like Azure ML or Databricks, ensuring seamless integration, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

• Develop measurements and feedback systems, and mentor associates and peers on MLOps & LLMOps standard methodologies.

• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in machine learning, generative AI, prompt engineering, RAG applications, and cloud technologies, and apply them to enhance our data science capabilities.

• Working with the AVP of Artificial Intelligence, the Senior Data Scientist will focus on various high-visibility Generative projects such as health analytics and modernized operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Over 4 years of experience with large-scale systems in data science/software engineering.

• Hands-on experience with Gen AI-related tech stack, including Azure cognitive search, Langchain, Semantic Kernel, and agent frameworks like Autogen, Vectordb. Experience in fine-tuning open-source models like Llama, Phi2 is a bonus.

• Bachelor's, Master's degree, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on machine learning, generative AI, prompt engineering, and RAG applications.

• Strong partner management, ability to translate sophisticated technical topics into business language, presentation skills, and an ability to balance a sense of urgency with shipping high-quality and pragmatic solutions.

• Strong software development skills with proficiency in Python and advanced working SQL knowledge, preferably using the Azure stack and experience with Azure ML, Databricks, Azure Data Factory.

• Experience in productionizing code through the DevOps pipeline (git, Jenkins pipeline, code scan).

• Solid understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and data analysis techniques.

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit .

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact .

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$129,400.00 CAD - $179,400.00 CAD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact for the salary range for your location.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our .