Data Scientist (AI Enablement)

Job Description:

Ratonga Matihiko | Digital Services

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous superannuation provisions (up to 6.75% employer contribution)
• Full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent position

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Data Scientist (AI Enablement)? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
As a Data Scientist (AI Enablement), you will transform data into actionable insights and support decision-making across the University. You'll be part of the Data & AI Enablement team, working with faculties, professional services, and project teams to develop robust and interpretable modelling solutions that generate real-world value.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, validate, and deploy statistical and machine learning models (e.g., regression, NLP, clustering).
• Evaluate and implement emerging AI patterns including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), AI agents, and orchestration frameworks to support university use cases.
• Design end-to-end solutions with strong focus on transparency, reproducibility, and performance.
• Explore and visualise datasets using Python and SQL to generate insights.
• Communicate results through reports and dashboards (e.g., Power BI).
• Trial generative AI applications and contribute to reusable AI templates and frameworks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define needs and deliver user-centred solutions.
• Uphold ethical data practices and UC’s commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Mōu | Who You Are
To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant data science discipline (NZQA Level 7).
• At least 5 years of data engineering experience and 3+ years in data science/machine learning.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and cloud tools (Azure, DataBricks, Snowflake).
• Strong communication skills, business acumen, and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Commitment to cultural responsibility and UC values.
• Competency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga is an advantage.
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
Building world-class digital capability is crucial to the University of Canterbury's ongoing success. Digital Services is a large team, striving to provide a modern dynamic foundation from which the University (UC) can explore new business models and ways of working. Digital will transform how we work, behave, and the expectations of the communities we service

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

UC’s Benefits approach is shaped by Ngā Uara | Our Values Whanaungatanga, Tiakitanga, and Manaakitanga. They are designed to be relevant, support and inspire our people, they include:

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development and study opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts including UC RecCentre
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 16 July 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.