SCOR Global Life Americas

A Core Data Scientist is an expert in manipulating and modeling data to extract value. They have knowledge in using state-of-the-art technologies to leverage the latest research in machine learning and can provide support in the usage of such techniques. The ideal candidate will develop and manage advanced statistical, predictive, and machine learning models as well as provide technical expertise to a growing cross-functional team of data scientists, underwriters, and actuaries. They are a member of the Data Analytics Solutions Team with responsibility to increase and spread the application and knowledge of data science knowledge the company. The Data Analytics Solutions Team supports SCOR in optimizing the use of data to drive internal efficiencies, improve profitability or offer new services to our clients. 

The candidate will be based in Beijing and the main responsibilities will be to help the regional team in building up a reputation for technology innovation, and to increase the persistency of priority clients through innovation projects. 

Approach

• Develop advanced statistical, predictive, or machine learning models using deep knowledge of the algorithms and hyperparameters, and systematically applying coding best practices.
• Have a high degree of autonomy when developing models and determining the appropriateness of a given approach.

Projects

• Being a hands-on and active doer in the delivery of projects
• Help drive innovation in insurance areas through close collaboration with different parties including the client, underwriters, and actuaries.
• Contribute to key topics of priority to the team and deliver on-time to agreed quality standards.
• Be a key contributor to Chinese and Asia-Pacific market projects as a priority, but also a core contributor on global projects including OCR, NLP, visualization, templates, etc.
• Support strategic innovation initiatives to transform processes (e.g. underwriting) from a machine learning perspective.

R&D

• Proactively identify relevant R&D for business needs
• Be able to conduct research spikes to solve technical challenge.
• Collaborate with SCOR’s thriving global data analytics community by being a key contributor on research projects and communication.

Communication

• Increase the interpretability of models through advanced understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Present results to stakeholders; clearly communicate complex topics by applying appropriate interpretation techniques and visualizes these for the benefit of internal/external clients.
• As a member of the Data Science chapter, the Core Data Scientist will be an ambassador of the existing chapter and contribute to it (participating to training, maintain a certain level of knowledge by getting training as well on advance topics and developing skills) 
• Be a key distributor of knowledge within SCOR globally.
• Spread data science knowledge externally through seminars and publications. 

Compliance

• Adhere to all Information Security policies and best practices, including security awareness training and other information protection initiatives.
• Be fully compliant with all relevant local data protection legislation. 
• Be aware of regulatory and reputational risk when developing consumer-facing AI tools and suggest ways of mitigating these.

Required experience & competencies

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in data science with solid programming capabilities and knowledge of supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques
• Strong knowledge in statistics and basic models: mathematics (probability) + usage of libraries (sklearn, pandas)
• Uses Python in an advanced way (~go beyond notebooks, produce scripts, modules, POO, packaging)
• Seek for answers by themselves by knowing the key concepts to look at (debugging code, google right terms, looking for proper help)
• Keeps up to date on academic research where relevant to business needs (reads ML/stats papers)
• Is able to industrialize ML models (e.g., git usage, basics on Docker) - or can quickly learn (~1/2 sprints)
• High degree of technical expertise on cloud computing platforms such as AWS and Microsoft Azure – Alibaba cloud expertise is a plus. At least a strong interest to learn about those technologies is required.
• Understands and follows relevant data protection laws and best practice.
• Able to familiarize with new programming tools.
• Experience with database query tools such as SQL is preferred, but not required.
• Insurance industry experience is preferred, but not required.
• Proficiency in Chinese is a MUST as you are based in the Beijing Office.

Required Education 

• Master’s degree in science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Actuarial or similar quantitative field
• Actuarial exam progress is preferred, but not required.

Communication skills

• Shares and communicates about his/her work to rest of the technical team with accurate terms. 
• Documents his/her work (be able to write a technical report with explicit relevant and self-explicit charts, follow templates, etc.)
• High level controls on his/her work
• Proactively supports other team members with technical help and adopts a team mindset.
• Is realistic with timeframes and updates relevant stakeholders on progress. 
• Follows some quality standard when presenting / documenting / communicating.

Business acumen

• Proactively identifies and raises technical concerns/doubts on data projects. 
• Understands instructions and contributes to the vision by questioning or enriching the tasks defined during a project.

SCOR, the 4th largest reinsurer in the world, provides insurance companies with a diversified and innovative range of solutions and services to control and manage risk. Leveraging experience and expertise to deliver “The Art & Science of Risk”, SCOR provides cutting-edge financial solutions, analytics tools and services in all areas related to risk – from Life & Health and Property & Casualty insurance to Investments. Our specialized teams operate in over 160 countries, fostering long-term relationships with clients. 

In order to provide our clients with a broad range of innovative reinsurance solutions, SCOR pursues an underwriting policy that is founded on profitability and supported by effective risk management strategy and a prudent investment policy. This approach allows us to offer clients an optimum level of security, to create value for shareholders, and to contribute to the welfare and resilience of society by helping to protect insureds against the risks they face.

At SCOR, we believe that employing people from different backgrounds and ensuring inclusivity is a major driving force for the success of the Group. We are committed to fostering a work environment in which all employees are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to SCOR’s success.