"Data Scientist (AI Enablement)"

Job Description:

Ratonga Matihiko | Digital Services

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Permanent position
• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Data Scientist (AI Enablement)? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

As a Data Scientist (AI Enablement), you will transform data into actionable insights and support decision-making across the University. You'll be part of the Data & AI Enablement team, working with faculties, professional services, and project teams to develop robust and interpretable modelling solutions that generate real-world value.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, validate, and deploy statistical and machine learning models (e.g., regression, NLP, clustering).
• Design end-to-end solutions with strong focus on transparency, reproducibility, and performance.
• Explore and visualise datasets using Python and SQL to generate insights.
• Communicate results through reports and dashboards (e.g., Power BI).
• Trial generative AI applications and contribute to reusable AI templates and frameworks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define needs and deliver user-centred solutions.
• Uphold ethical data practices and UC's commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Mōu | Who You Are

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant data science discipline (NZQA Level 7).
• At least 10 years of data engineering experience and 3+ years in data science/machine learning.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and cloud tools (Azure, DataBricks, Snowflake).
• Strong communication skills, business acumen, and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Commitment to cultural responsibility and UC values.
• Competency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga is an advantage.
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

Building world-class digital capability is crucial to the University of Canterbury's ongoing success. Digital Services is a large team, striving to provide a modern dynamic foundation from which the University (UC) can explore new business models and ways of working. Digital will transform how we work, behave, and the expectations of the communities we service.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can, and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here.

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits including flexible work practices, study opportunities and generous superannuation and leave provisions. For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc. For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz.

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.

### Job Details

Reference #	28527
Posted on	13 Aug 2025
Closes on	26 Aug 2025 23:55
Location(s)	Christchurch
Expertise	Information Technology
Job level(s)	Experienced
Work type(s)	Continuing (Permanent) full-time
More details (document)	Data Scientist (AI Enablement).pdf