Senior Data Scientist

At ASPIRE we are pioneers in the field of precision insect farming, optimizing the growth and harvesting of an underutilized natural resource in order to meet global demand for sustainable ingredients and materials. Our vision is A WORLD TRANSFORMED BY INSECT TECHNOLOGY.

 Senior Data Scientist

We are currently seeking a Senior Data Scientist who thrives in a data-rich environment and enjoys deriving signal from noise. Data are collected automatically from IOT sensors, scanners, robots, and various points across the manufacturing process, and generated manually by research teams monitoring insect health and productivity. The Senior Data Scientist will help prioritize existing data sources and lead the development of new data acquisition initiatives that will further the immediate and long-term optimization of cricket mass-rearing. This will involve collaborating with cross functional teams to identify and prioritize data-driven opportunities to improve our farming practices and processes.

The Senior Data Scientist will perform exploratory analysis to identify trends, patterns and anomalies that can be used to drive business value. The flexibility of our production system enables us to make data-driven changes to our processes.  Because the consequences of these decisions will be far reaching and multidisciplinary, the Senior Data Scientist is expected to be an excellent team player and communicator.

At a high level, the Senior Data Scientist is someone who can translate biological data into actionable results while recognizing the constraints and opportunities inherent in any biological system

This role reports to the CSO and will support our London, Ontario facility with a predominantly on-site work structure. 

HOW YOU WILL MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MATTER

• Take overall responsibility for data acquisition, processing, and archiving

• Plan and document computer data file structure; develop, program, manage, and maintain complex statistical databases; supervise data entry

• Formalize analysis plans and reporting specifications

  • Validate the reliability of measurements and identifiability of models

• Lead analysis and interpretation of data

  • Analyze large amounts of information to discover trends and patterns

• Use a variety of modeling and in silico simulation techniques to inform high-quality business decisions and reveal the next set of low hanging opportunities

• Develop indices and metrics to facilitate continuous monitoring of production

• Communicate processes, models, and results clearly and effectively to Management, and members of other teams at Aspire at all levels

• Distil large sets of continuous data into single values that correlate well with variables of interest

• Work with the research team at Aspire, as well as our academic partners, to:

  • Use data to identify possible interactions and efficiencies, and develop those into testable hypotheses

  • Develop experiment designs consistent with good data collection and processing best practices

  • Support data analysis and interpretation within the Science Team 

  • Provide data context for biological experiments, and use biological data to parameterise and adjust models

• Identify areas of opportunity for machine learning in a heavily automated environment, and lead implementation of these tools within the production process

• Develop prediction systems and machine learning algorithms

• Maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends in analytical methods and approaches and communicate new approaches to the Science Team

• Participate as a valued, active, contributing member of a dynamic research team.

• Other related duties and required or assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• A graduate degree in an empirical Science, Biomedicine, Computer Science, Engineering, Math, or relevant field, PhD is an asset

• Demonstrated experience analyzing and/or modeling data and communicating the results

• Skills in experimental design and data interpretation

• Programming Skills:

  • Demonstrated experience using R or Python for data manipulation, analysis, and modeling

  • Demonstrated competence with database queries languages like SQL

  • Experience working with AI and Machine Learning methods (e.g. k-Nearest Neighbors, Naive Bayes, SVM, and Decision Forests) to generate desired business outcomes

• Data Analysis:

  • Good applied statistical skills, including knowledge of statistical tests, distributions, regression, maximum likelihood estimators, etc

  • Ability to apply a range of advanced statistical techniques in support of scientific research studies and/or experiments

  • Experience with statistical/analytical tools like R, SPSS, JMP, MATLAB, Minitab, or SAS

• Reporting and visualization

  • Experience generating professional data visualization using statistical tools and commercially available data visualization tools

• At least 5 years experience generating reports to explain results to technical and non-technical audiences

• An interest in science, curiosity about the natural world, and strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Able to work well under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet external and internal deadlines. 

• High standards for personal deliverables

• Excellent working English 

GET EXCITED ABOUT ASPIRE

• Aspire has assembled the largest body of research on cricket biology and production in the world.

• We are pioneering the industry by customizing, synthesizing and integrating cutting-edge technologies, including an Advanced Automation ASRS, IoT-Enabled Data Accumulation, Artificial Intelligence and Selective Breeding and Biological Optimization processes.

• We offer a competitive compensation package that includes paid time off, medical benefits, Maternity/Parental leave top-up, STD/LTD, RRSP and Stock Option plans.

Aspire welcomes all applicants and is committed to a diverse workforce. If you require accommodation, please advise the Human Resources Department of any required accommodation needs.