Specialist Data Science

BHP Career Portal

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Specialist Data Scientist applies advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI techniques to help solve complex, value-accretive geoscience challenges that accelerate mineral exploration and improve decision quality across the Exploration portfolio. As a member of Exploration's Data Science team, this role partners closely with geoscientists and technical specialists to deploy and enhance existing data science solutions that increase the scale, speed, and confidence of exploration decisions across the exploration value chain. Working alongside exploration teams, the Specialist Data Scientist acts as a trusted technical collaborator, helping identify opportunities where existing data science tools, workflows, and AI capabilities can improve exploration outcomes. The role also contributes to the development and continuous improvement of new analytics and machine learning solutions that address emerging exploration challenges. The successful candidate will combine developing expertise in data science, machine learning, and AI with a solid foundation in one or more geoscience disciplines, such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, remote sensing, or geodynamics. They will have experience applying quantitative and analytical techniques to geoscience data and a demonstrated interest in leveraging modern and novel data science approaches to support mineral exploration workflows, including areas such as prospectivity analysis, geophysical interpretation, hyperspectral data analytics, geological data integration, computer vision, and predictive modelling. Success in this role requires strong collaboration across interdisciplinary teams, curiosity to learn from both data science and geoscience experts, and the ability to translate complex analytical concepts into clear, actionable insights for technical and non-technical audiences. The ideal candidate is an effective communicator who can build trusted relationships with geoscientists, influence decision-making through data-driven insights, and contribute to the adoption of advanced analytics and AI capabilities within Exploration.

Requirements

• Over 3 years of experience applying advanced data analytics, machine learning, and/or AI to geoscience problems, preferably in minerals exploration.
• Over 3 years of programming experience applied to geological sciences using Python, C, R, or Java.
• Demonstrated experience in geospatial analytics, including raster and vector data processing, and validation of spatial or geoscience models considering spatial leakage, uncertainty, sampling bias, spatial autocorrelation, scale of applicability, and ground truthing.
• Exposure to code management platforms (e.g., GitLab) or workflow management tools (e.g., Dataiku, Databricks) to collaborate on workflow development with team members.
• Demonstrated experience working in small to mid-sized multidisciplinary teams as a data scientist collaborating directly with geoscientists.
• Skilled in communicating complex data science project workflows and results to geoscientists and managers (or other non-data science audiences) via technical writing or presentations.

Nice To Haves

• Postgraduate degree (MSc/PhD) in geoscience, data science, statistics, mathematics, or any other physical science.
• Exposure to high-performance cloud computing platforms (e.g., Azure Cyclecloud, AWS ParallelCluster, Google Cloud Cluster) for data processing and analysis.
• Exposure to programmatic accessing (APIs), integrating, querying, and manipulating structured datasets from relational databases (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Snowflake, etc.).
• Exposure to probabilistic or Bayesian modelling, particularly the use of prior information, Bayesian updating with new evidence, and interpretation of posterior distributions to quantify uncertainty and support decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience working with common minerals exploration data types including geological maps, structural data, geochemistry sample data, geophysical survey data, hyperspectral data, geodynamics data, or other related data types.
• Demonstrated experience influencing technical decisions through partnership with exploration geologists, project geologists, geophysicists, or exploration leadership, including presenting analytical findings and recommendations to non-data science audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the application of established machine learning or AI workflows to exploration geoscience problems working collaboratively with geoscientists and the investment lead while embedded in a multidisciplinary investment team to deliver data science projects that add value and influence business decisions.
• Collaborate with geoscience customers and data scientist peers to develop customized novel data analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions for large-scale exploration geoscience problems across geology, geochemistry, geophysics, geodynamic modeling, remote sensing, and resource modeling.
• Collaborate with the Exploration Technology team to deploy data science solutions into production, ensuring their sustainability and continued use beyond initial development when appropriate.
• Provide technical guidance to outsourced data science resources supporting exploration teams to ensure technical work is compliant with established internal standards and best practices.

Benefits

• Domestic relocation assistance
• New home purchase assistance
• Temporary accommodations
• Home finding trip
• Resettlement allowance
• Professional Development: Continuous learning and real opportunities for growth
• Compensation: Fair and competitive, reflecting your role, skills, and achievements
• Inclusive Culture: A workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and free to express their authentic identity

What This Job Offers

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