R&d Data Scientist

**ABOUT DESCARTES UNDERWRITING**

Descartes was born out of the conviction that the ever-increasing complexity of risks faced by corporations, governments and vulnerable communities calls for a renewed approach in insurance. Our team brings together industry veterans from the most renowned institutions (AXA, SCOR, Swiss Re, Marsh, Aon,...) and scientists on top of their field to bring underwriting excellence. After 5 years of existence, Descartes has secured a leading position in parametric insurance for weather and climate-related risks utilizing machine learning, real-time monitoring from satellite imagery & IoT. After a successful Series B raise of $120M USD, we launched Descartes Insurance, a 'full stack' insurer licensed to underwrite risk by the French regulator ACPR. With a growing corporate client base (400+ and counting), our diverse team is headquartered in Paris and operates out of our 18 global offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Descartes is trusted by a panel of A-rated (re)insurers to carry out its activities.

**ABOUT YOUR ROLE**

Descartes Underwriting is seeking a **R&D Data Scientist** to join our _R&D Department_.
In Descartes R&D department, there are two teams responsible for modelling climate risks: one team in charge of atmospheric perils and the second team is in charge of land based perils like wildfire and flood.

This opening is in the _Terrestrial perils team_.
You will report directly to the R&D Manager.

**Your responsibilities would include**:

- Contribute to the improvement of our existing models to enhance and strengthen our understanding of climate risks and machine learning methods;
- Collaborate with the underwriting, business and innovation teams and give them relevant technical advice to ensure our products are efficiently integrated into the underwriting process and meet our clients’ needs;
- Identify new and innovative ideas and testing state-of-the-art methods based on recent research articles;
- Propose model developments or features that are technically and economically aligned with company’s strategy;
- Present autonomously minor changes of models to underwriters and work
- towards their validation;
- Suggest improvements in software or infrastructure challenges.

**ABOUT YOU**

**EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS**
- Scientific academic background with ideally a research-oriented Master’s Degree or PhD in meteorological studies, climate science, physics, hydrology, or applied mathematics.
- From 0 to 3 years of experience in R&D (PhD included);
- Strong skills in statistics, applied mathematics, physics and machine learning methods;
- Proven track record of significant individual contributor roles for solving complex problems;
- Ideally a previous experience in climate modeling or data science;
- Ideally a previous experience with flood modelling or computational fluid dynamics.

**SKILLS**
- Proficiency in Python (scikit learn,...);
- Fluency in English (written and verbal communication) is required;
- Good command of one additional language (e.g. Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish...) is valued.

**MINDSET**
- Interested in weather and natural perils modeling (cyclones, wildfires, flood, hail, tsunamis, earthquakes, etc);
- Strong team spirit and ability to work under pressure;
- Eagerness to solve complex problems and technical challenges;
- Rigorous, creative and meticulous mind;
- Strong desire to learn and commitment to the organization’s mission;
- Results oriented, high energy, with the ability to work in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment;
- Motivated to help improving businesses’ and communities’ resilience to climate change.

**WHY JOIN DESCARTES UNDERWRITING ?**
- Opportunity to work and learn with teams from the most prestigious schools and research labs in the world, allowing you to progress towards technical excellence;
- Commitment from Descartes to its staff of continued learning and development (think annual seminars, training etc.) ;
- Work in a collaborative & professional environment ;
- Be part of an international team, passionate about diversity ;
- Join a company with a true purpose - help us help our clients be more resilient towards climate risks;
- A competitive salary, bonus and benefits;
- You can benefit from a punctual home office days.
- At Descartes Underwriting, we cherish value of diversity whatever it may be. We are committed to fighting against all forms of discrimination and for equal opportunities. We foster an inclusive work environment that respects all differences._
- With equal skills, all our positions are open to people with disabilities_

**RECRUITMENT PROCESS**
- Step 1: HR Interview with our Talent Recruiter
- Step 2: Technical online test
- Step 3: Remote technical interview with a R&D Data Scientist
- Step 4: Manager interview with your future manager
- Step 5: In-person team interview to meet our R&D Data Scientist team and discover our offices (held remotely if y