Senior Data Scientist, Responsible AI

Bank of Montreal•Chicago, IL

About The Position

This role sits within the AI+ Research & Commercialization (ARC) team reporting to the Head of Responsible AI (RAI) Innovation & Governance. A dynamic opportunity for skilled data scientists who are passionate about shaping the future of responsible AI in financial services, this role will lead a team of data scientists in the development of guardrails, evaluation frameworks, and technical governance strategies to ensure that AI solutions are performant, safe, and aligned with risk and regulatory expectations. This position requires deep technical expertise in machine learning and AI testing and evaluation methods, combined with a strong understanding of responsible AI (governance and innovation and underlying principles, such as fairness, explainability, and reliability. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading a team of data scientists while navigating ambiguity, working across disciplines, and applying research-driven approaches to real-world AI governance challenges in a regulated environment.

Requirements

Master’s or PhD degree in data science or a related field is required, with a preference for candidates that have specialized in the technical aspects of responsible AI / responsible innovation (e.g., fairness and explainability techniques, responsible AI evaluation and alignment research, etc.).
7+ years of experience in data science or a related field is required, with a defined specialization in responsible AI / responsible innovation for at least 3 years.
Experience in model development (ML/data science, AI/GenAI), as well as data cleaning and preparation, with direct experience in financial services or technology sectors preferred.
Proficiency in Python and SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, XGBoost, scikit-learn.
Strong grasp of AI and ML frameworks and stacks.
Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and CI/CD pipelines is advantageous.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an aptitude for data-driven decision-making.
Strong communication skills to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
Proven ability to lead and mentor team members, with a commitment to fostering professional growth, knowledge sharing, and a culture of continuous development.
Demonstrated passion for advancing responsible innovation.

Nice To Haves

Track record of research, publications, or other contributions to the field of Responsible AI (e.g., responsible AI, AI safety, alignment, or interpretability research) would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with engineering, product, cybersecurity, risk, and platform teams in both the enterprise and across lines of business to deliver embedded guardrails and lifecycle governance for AI solutions in support of Responsible AI Operations (RAIOps).
Lead a team of data scientists in developing technical AI testing and evaluation methodologies fit for financial services and aligned to BMO’s responsible AI principles.
Perform analyses and develop insights for model and product-level safety mitigations.
Own and continuously refine our RAIOps testing and evaluation strategy and roadmap, inclusive of leading targeted research efforts as frontier AI and responsible innovation practices mature.
Serve as a technical thought partner in cross-functional responsible AI initiatives, helping to embed safeguards and evaluation frameworks into enterprise AI development workflows.

Benefits

Opportunity to lead pioneering responsible AI initiatives in a forward-thinking, innovative banking environment.
A unique opportunity to apply your expertise in a high-impact data science role.
Commitment to professional growth, continuous learning, and career development.
Collaborative culture focused on diversity, inclusion, and innovation.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume