Data Scientist - 10 month + Contract

About the Role

The Senior Data Scientist is a senior technical specialist role responsible for leading complex, high-impact data science and advanced analytics initiatives across the organisation. This is a 10-month+ contract opportunity with a leading government agency.

You'll provide deep expertise in advanced statistics, machine learning, Large Language Models and AI, translating complex analytical problems into end-to-end, production-ready solutions that inform strategic decision-making. This role owns the full lifecycle of data science problems, from problem definition and hypothesis formulation through model development, implementation, testing, validation, monitoring, and communication of outcomes.

Reporting to the Data Science Manager, you'll act as a technical expert delivering statistical, machine learning, and scientifically defensible LLM/AI solutions. You'll also act as a mentor and trusted advisor, guiding analysts and data scientists while translating complex technical concepts into robust, practical, business-focused solutions for non-technical stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of LLM and AI-based solutions, ensuring all are scientifically defensible, regularly tested and validated (AI Ops/MLOps), require human-in-the-loop decision-making, and adhere to strict AI governance, ethical and privacy requirements
• Lead advanced statistics and machine learning solutions, including regression, classification, time-series analysis, predictive forecasting, Bayesian methods, random forest modelling, causal inference, and hypothesis testing
• Undertake queries using complex relational databases, graph-based tools, languages and applications
• Construct and advise on robust experimental designs, including statistical power, testing/validation populations, and quantifying assumptions, bias, and limitations
• Apply supervised and unsupervised ML techniques, ensemble methods, feature engineering, model optimisation, and robust evaluation frameworks
• Design and implement deep learning solutions where appropriate, including CNNs, RNNs, and transformer-based architectures
• Own and document the end-to-end ML/AI lifecycle: data ingestion, preparation, modelling, validation, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement
• Ensure analytical approaches are statistically sound, explainable, reproducible, and aligned with ethical, privacy, security classification, and regulatory requirements
• Work with business stakeholders to define analytical problems, business questions, and success criteria
• Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations informing operational, tactical, and strategic decision-making
• Collaborate with platform, data engineering, and architecture teams to support production deployment and monitoring
• Mentor analysts and junior data scientists, and act as a trusted advisor translating technical concepts into plain English for non-technical audiences
• Communicate complex analytical findings through concise briefings, reports, visualisations, and presentations tailored to diverse audiences

Selection Criteria

• 8-10 years' industry experience delivering advanced statistics, data science, statistical learning, machine learning, and applied research solutions in complex environments
• Tertiary qualification in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline
• Expert-level knowledge of statistics, including advanced modelling, inference, and experimental design
• Strong machine learning experience, including supervised and unsupervised methods, feature engineering, model evaluation, and optimisation
• Practical experience with modern AI techniques, including exposure to deep learning (computer vision, NLP, or transformer-based models)
• Proven ability to design and deliver end-to-end data science solutions, from problem formulation through to implementation and testing
• Expert-level Python (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow) and extremely strong SQL capability
• Experience working with large, complex, and sensitive datasets in highly secure environments
• Demonstrated ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearances for the role

Highly Desirable

• Masters or Doctoral qualification (PhD), or significant research experience in applied or experimental analytics

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Effective communication across all levels and technical backgrounds
• Strong stakeholder management, building trusted relationships across sponsors, teams, and vendors
• Delivers results efficiently with a commitment to quality outcomes
• Strong time management, prioritising competing deadlines and multiple deliverables
• Influence and negotiation, leading productive discussions and pre-empting conflict
• Resilience and courage in high-pressure, emotionally charged, or controversial situations
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking, evaluating alternatives to identify effective solutions

Working Conditions

• 10-month+ contract
• Must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident of Australia, or New Zealand Citizen with a current New Zealand Passport

Apply now to bring scientifically rigorous, production-grade data science and AI capability to this 10-month+ contract engagement.