Senior Data Scientist

Manulife is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make decisions easier and lives better.

We are seeking a driven and innovative Senior Data Scientist to join our Artificial Intelligence team at Manulife Japan. As part of our broader AI initiatives, including Generative AI and Predictive AI, you will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing advanced AI solutions. Your work will be instrumental in optimizing operations, while also enhancing our Sales, Products, and Services to better meet customer needs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities
• Develop and implement advanced machine learning models and analytical solutions—including Prediction AI, Generative AI, and traditional data science approaches—to address complex business challenges. Leverage a wide range of algorithms, techniques, and platforms (such as OpenAI services and other industry-standard tools) to build, deploy, and scale AI-driven solutions that deliver actionable insights and tangible business value.
• Collaborate with Data engineers and IT Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to understand source data and utilize large datasets to prepare and optimize data for building Generative AI solutions using Open AI services to enhance our products and services and scaling it globally.
• Work closely with partners to gather requirements, design data models, and implement tailored solutions.
• Standardize processes, techniques, and tools into best practices for other data scientists.
• Drive the adoption of data and AI driven solutions by influencing and partnering with key stakeholders.
• Innovate and explore creative methods to source and utilize structured and unstructured data for building data and AI driven solutions. Stay updated on industry trends and advancements in AI/ML, with a specific focus on leveraging OpenAI services to continuously enhance our products and services and scaling efforts.
• Strong ability to generate relevant, actionable insights based on iterative data analysis, translate data-driven output into business language, and to make appropriate recommendations to respective business stakeholders Independently provides analysis on datasets of significant complexity.
• Quickly able to develop enough business insight to connect data sources across multiple diverse and complicated systems. And recommends implementable solutions to (or in collaboration with) business partners. Considers change management in all aspects of their work.
• Has fundamental understanding of the business as a whole, and has started to build a network of people for ideation, info sharing, knowledge.
• Proactively document and publish innovative initiatives and ideas developed through your work, by submitting papers to academic conferences or presenting at external events and industry forums.

Requirements:
• An advanced degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, or another quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience utilizing data science to solve high-impact business problems, with a specific recent focus on building Generative AI applications. f(Insurance preferred but open to financial industry and tech related)
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data manipulation techniques.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, or SQL, with experience in prompt engineering and relevant packages like LangChain, LangGraph, AutoGen, Llamaindex and more.

• Practical experience with big data processing frameworks and platforms such as Azure, Databricks, Spark, with a focus on leveraging these technologies for building and scaling AI solutions.

• Experience not only in modeling, but also in integrating AI solutions into production environments, operating them, and continuously improving their performance.

• Excellent communication skills – able to explain sophisticated data science concepts to both technical and non-technical business stakeholders and partners, and to collaborate effectively with regional teams and other colleagues across Asia.

• Japanese speaking: N2 or N1 level, as long as you can communicate fluently.
• Having some references to R&D in your work, academic background, or personal projects is preferable.

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.

This job description is not a comprehensive listing of all job duties required for this role. We reserve the right to change these duties or assign additional duties at any time with or without notice

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 recruitment@manulife.com.