Senior Data Scientist – GenAI

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Data Scientist to join our Group Functions Advanced Analytics team! As a Senior Data Scientist - GenAI, you will focus on leveraging innovative Generative AI techniques to develop and implement robust analytical solutions across various parts of Manulife and JH. Your responsibilities will include applying prompt engineering, building and optimizing RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) applications, fine-tuning large language models (LLMs), and deploying these advanced GenAI solutions on cloud platforms such as Azure. Your expertise in these areas will play a crucial role in driving data-driven decision-making and enhancing our business processes. 

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead machine learning and AI driven projects that span the breadth of Group Functions (Corporate Functions) with high business impact.
• Demonstrate proficiency in developing, fine-tuning, and deploying Generative AI models such as GPT models, as well as other innovative architectures. This includes understanding the nuances of model selection, optimization, and evaluation to ensure high performance and accuracy, while managing cloud-based solutions to ensure scalability, security, and performance.
• Build and optimize modular RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems, apply advanced retrieval methods, and evaluate and monitor the performance of RAG systems.
• Apply large language models (LLMs) to parse complex documents and handle diverse layouts, such as multi-column text, tables, and images, and converting them into machine-readable formats to extract structured information.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in Generative AI, prompt engineering, Agentic Framework, and cloud technologies, to apply them and enhance our data science capabilities.
• Collaborate with data engineers and ML engineers to integrate data science solutions into existing systems and workflows.
• Communicate sophisticated technical concepts and findings to both technical and non-technical partners, ensuring clear understanding and agreement.
• Peer review other Data Scientists’ work and participate in model and code reviews.
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to identify and define business requirements, ensuring alignment with data science objectives.

What motivates you?

• You obsess about customers, listen, engage and act for their benefit.
• You think big, with curiosity to discover ways to use your agile approach and enable business outcomes.
• You thrive in teams and enjoy getting things done together.
• You take ownership and build solutions, focusing on what matters.
• You do what is right, work with integrity and speak up.
• You share your humanity, helping us build a diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone.

What we are looking for

• Bachelor', Master's degree, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in developing probabilistic models, data mining, and machine learning algorithms, including real world experience of applying analytics models, with a strong focus on Generative AI, prompt engineering, RAG applications and Agentic AI.
• Proficiency in programming languages particularly Python and experience with machine learning libraries/frameworks, e.g., PyTorch, scikit-learn, SQL, graph databases (Neo4j/Cypher, Cosmos DB/Gremlin).
• Exceptional knowledge of professional software engineering practices & standard methodologies for the full software development process, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations.
• Strong collaboration and elaboration skills; demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; shares resources and demonstrates knowledge across the organization.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and creatively to develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work optimally in multi-functional teams.

What can we offer you?

• A competitive salary and benefits packages.
• A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.
• A focus on growing your career path with us.
• Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.

Our commitment to you

• Values-first culture: We lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.
• Boundless opportunity: We create opportunities to learn and grow at every stage of your career.
• Continuous innovation: We invite you to help redefine the future of financial services.
• Delivering the promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:  We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives.
• Championing Corporate Citizenship: We build a business that benefits all partners and has a positive social and environmental impact.

#LI-Hybrid

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 https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

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 [email protected].

Toronto, Ontario

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$94,220.00 CAD - $174,980.00 CAD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location. 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. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

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 [email protected] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.