Scientist - Data, Global Artificial Intelligence & ML

Scotiabank • Toronto, ON

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Scotiabank is seeking a highly specialized and innovative Data Scientist to join our Global Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning team. This role is central to building and deploying next-generation AI/ML products across the bank’s business lines, focusing specifically on leveraging advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) to transform how we process, understand, and extract value from complex, unstructured documents. The ideal candidate will be an integral part of the organization’s AI/ML strategy, using cutting-edge Gemini prompting techniques and robust Python coding to solve high-impact business challenges. In this role, you will be a core member of the Global AI/ML team, focused on creating value for both the bank and its customers through AI-driven products. You will work closely with a diverse team of data scientists, data engineers, AI/ML product managers, and software developers to understand business partner challenges and processes, turning those insights into scalable, working solutions. You will have direct exposure to working production models and will be responsible for creating new, high-impact AI/ML solutions. You will also understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in decision making.

Requirements

• Expert-level proficiency in Python for data manipulation, statistical modeling, and pipeline development.
• Proven, hands-on experience designing and optimizing prompts for advanced large language models (specifically Gemini, or comparable LLMs) tailored for structured document analysis.
• Direct experience with document understanding tasks, including working with unstructured text, OCR output, and information extraction from complex forms or contracts.
• Practical experience with ML/AI techniques, including supervised, unsupervised, and specifically deep learning and NLP methods.
• Experience with big data tools such as SQL, Hadoop, and Spark.
• Proven ability to ingest, clean, and work effectively with large volumes of structured and unstructured non-traditional data.
• Experience with DevOps principles and/or software engineering best practices (e.g., Git, continuous integration/delivery, Jira).
• University/Post graduate degree in a relevant STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
• Effective communication skills with the ability to prepare clear project documentation and compelling presentations.
• Ability to translate technical knowledge into tangible business value and collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Working knowledge of visualization tools such as Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and implement highly effective models optimized for specific document understanding tasks (e.g., data extraction, classification).
• Write and maintain high-quality Python code to preprocess, process, and analyze large volumes of structured and unstructured documents, building robust data pipelines.
• Design, build, and rigorously evaluate specialized machine learning models for document understanding, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and scalability.
• Collaborate with Data Engineers and software developers to develop and deploy document understanding solutions efficiently and reliably into production environments.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest advances in generative AI, Python coding libraries, machine learning best practices, and the field of Document AI.
• Support Research & Development focused on the effective application of design thinking and advanced techniques.
• Support high-impact analytical use cases focused on supporting a wide variety of business lines, delivering AI/ML products that simultaneously provide value to customers and the organization.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and partners to define and enforce machine learning and artificial intelligence best-practices across the organization.
• Understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in decision making related to model development and deployment.
• Collaborate seamlessly with data scientists, data engineers, software engineers, and ML product owners to implement scalable ML/AI products throughout the bank.

Benefits

• A competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Diverse opportunities for professional development and internal support to enhance your skills.
• An inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success!
• An organization committed to making a difference in our communities—for you and our customers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior