Senior Data Scientist

Senior Data Scientist – One vacancy in Nice (France)

Role

Join an innovative climate research institute dedicated to advancing the quantitative understanding of climate risks and developing next-generation analytical tools. As a Data Scientist, you will support researchers across multiple climate-related projects, contributing to the construction of robust machine-learning models, reproducible data pipelines, and computational frameworks used to assess climate risks and inform industry decision-making.

In this role, you will work at the intersection of data science, climate research, and applied modelling, leveraging diverse datasets (including spatial and environmental data), developing predictive and statistical models, and collaborating with IT/data teams to ensure scalable, well-engineered solutions. You will also help explore and prototype AI-driven tools to improve workflows, analyses, and model performance.

As part of this position
,
the data scientist could also contribute to building a climate data platform that integrates public and private datasets, probably including geospatial data. Responsibilities would include enabling data pipelines, supporting the development of institute-specific IP, harmonizing and standardizing data, implementing scalable storage solutions, and setting up local redundancy to ensure reliability and accessibility. The platform could leverage AI and machine learning to extract insights and support advanced climate modeling.

This position is ideal for a curious and hands-on data scientist who enjoys interdisciplinary problem-solving, exploring novel approaches, and contributing to real-world climate applications.

Responsibilities

• Support climate researchers
  by developing machine learning models, statistical analyses, and quantitative methods across a range of climate and environmental research projects.
• Build predictive and analytical models
  using Python and scientific computing stacks; ensure reproducibility, documentation, and alignment with research objectives.
• Work with spatial datasets
  (e.g., geospatial climate data, hazard maps, environmental indicators) and integrate them into modelling workflows.
• Collaborate with IT and data engineering teams
  to enhance data accessibility, harmonization, pipeline robustness, and model deployment.
• Develop or prototype AI-driven tools
  , including exploratory work with LLMs or automated analytics, to support research and operational workflows.
• Assist in integrating models into production-ready or research-ready pipelines
  , including version control, validation, and testing strategies.
• Evaluate data availability, coverage, and quality
  , and propose pragmatic approaches for calibration, substitution, or enrichment when datasets are incomplete.
• Translate model results into clear insights
  , enabling researchers and external partners to use outputs in meaningful climate risk and mitigation contexts.
• Collaborate within interdisciplinary teams
  (climate science, engineering, economics, IT) to co-create analytical solutions aligned with scientific and market needs.
• Contribute to scientific communication
  , including internal research notes, technical documentation, and participation in publications, workshops, or conferences when appropriate.
• Stay informed on emerging methods in ML/AI
  , climate-relevant data sources, and computational technologies to continuously improve methodological capabilities.

Requirements

• Master's degree (or equivalent experience)
  in engineering, computer science, data science, environmental science, or a closely related field with a strong quantitative/ML component.
• 2–5+ years of applied data science experience
  , ideally in research-oriented, environmental, or technical domains.
• Solid experience in machine learning and statistical modelling
  , using Python (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow, etc.).
• Familiarity with spatial data analysis
  and GIS tools (e.g., GeoPandas, rasterio, QGIS) -
  nice to have
  .
• Strong skills in
  data wrangling, feature engineering, and working with heterogeneous datasets
  .
• Ability to
  collaborate with IT/data engineering teams
  on data structures, APIs, and pipeline improvements.
• Experience with
  model validation
  , performance evaluation, and reproducible research practices.
• Curiosity and willingness to
  explore AI and LLM-based tools
  —
  nice to have
  , not required.
• Ability to
  communicate complex technical results clearly
  to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an
  interdisciplinary environment
  , aligning data science work with research and domain expertise.

About EDHEC Climate Institute

Institutional context

Operating from campuses in Lille, Nice, Paris, London and Singapore, EDHEC Business School is ranked in the top ten European business schools. With more than 110 nationalities represented in its student body, some 50,000 alumni in 130 countries, and learning partnerships with 290 institutions worldwide, it is truly international.

EDHEC Business School has been recognised for over 20 years for its expertise in finance. Its approach to climate finance is founded on a commitment to equipping finance professionals and decision-makers with the insights, tools, and solutions necessary to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. EDHEC has developed a significant research capacity on the financial measurement of climate risk, which relies on the best researchers in climate finance, and brings together experts in climate risks as well as in quantitative analysis.

The DNA of EDHEC's work has also resided, since its origin, in the ability to generate business ventures, by encouraging spin-offs based on the research work of its teams. EDHEC is currently involved in 3 ventures: Scientific Portfolio, SIPA Metrics, and Scientific Climate Ratings.

Mission and ambitions

The EDHEC Climate Institute (ECI) focuses on helping private and public decision-makers manage climate-related financial risks and make the most of financial tools to support the transition to a low-emission economy that is more resilient to climate change.

It has a long track record as an independent and critical reference centre in helping long-term investors to understand and manage the financial implications of climate change on asset prices and the management of investments and climate action policies.

The institute has also developed an expertise in physical risks, developing proprietary research frameworks and innovative approaches. ECI is also conducting advanced research on climate transition risks, with a focus on supply chain emissions (Scope 3), consumer choices, and emerging technologies.

As part of its mission, ECI collaborates with academic partners, businesses, and financial players to establish targeted research partnerships. This includes making research outputs, publications, and data available in open source to maximise impact and accessibility.

Attractive salary and bonus, healthcare and pension plan coverage.

The salary will be determined according to EDHEC's pay scale, the candidate's qualifications and experience.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter (pdf format)
.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 21 days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.