Senior Data Scientist

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Data Scientist (6+ years)

Location: PAN India (Hybrid/Remote)

Employment Type: Full-time

Start Date: 15th October 2025

About Us

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics has established itself as a data-driven global consultancy that leverages social science research, data science, and technology to provide user-centric, context-specific solutions and advice to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, USA and UK exemplify extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.

Our team of data scientists apply agile programming and ICT tools in order to deliver responsive and practical data and digital solutionsmaking for an innovative, technology-oriented business model that sets us apart in the international development space.

The international business community is taking notice of this unique approach: in 2021 alone, Athena Infonomics was recognized on The Financial Times, Nikkei Asia, and Statista's High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021 ranking, and was selected as one of The Economic Times and Statista's 2021 and 2022 India Growth Champions.

About The Role

We're looking for an experienced and results-driven Senior Data Scientist who can design, lead, and deliver data-driven solutions that make a real impact. You'll bring deep technical expertise, a strategic approach to problem-solving, and the ability to turn complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that help guide important decisions.

In this role, you'll work across the full data science lifecycle from gathering and processing data, to building and deploying models, to tracking their performance in the real world. You should be highly skilled in data analysis and visualization, especially using tools like Power BI, and confident applying Generative AI (Gen AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), and GIS technologies to solve challenging problems.

We're looking for someone who can push innovation forward, set high standards for AI/ML workflows, and create scalable, maintainable analytics pipelines. You'll collaborate closely with engineers, analysts, domain experts, and business leaders to ensure the solutions you build align with real-world needs. Just as importantly, you'll help guide and mentor junior data science talent, sharing your expertise and helping the whole team grow.

Key Responsibilities

- Technical Solution Design: Plan and design technical workflows for analytics and data-driven projects, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and robustness.
- AI & Gen AI Integration: Leverage Generative AI, LLMs, and other AI models for data processing, predictive analytics, and knowledge management, incorporating AI design patterns such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), few-shot learning, transfer learning, multi-modal AI, AI pipeline orchestration, human-in-the-loop review, and explainable AI (XAI).
- Programming & Automation: Develop and maintain Python-based solutions, with adaptability to other programming languages as needed.
- Data Engineering: Utilize ETL tools for data transformation and modeling, adopting new tools and techniques when necessary.
- Data Visualization & Communication: Build interactive dashboards and visualizations using Power BI, Streamlit, and Tableau to effectively communicate insights.
- Geospatial & GIS Analytics: Apply spatial data analytics techniques, including processing and analysing geospatial datasets in QGIS or other GIS platforms.
- Applied Analytics in Social Science: Incorporate basic social science models into analytical workflows for policy and research applications.
- Collaboration & Mentorship: Partner with data engineers, analysts, and domain experts; mentor junior team members and promote best practices in data science.

Required Qualifications

- Education: Bachelor's (Master's is preferred) degree in data science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, GIS, or a related field.
- Experience: 6+ years of professional experience in data science, analytics, AI/ML, or GIS-related roles.
- Programming Skills: Proficiency in Python with the ability to adapt to other programming languages.
- AI Expertise: Strong expertise in Generative AI, LLMs, and advanced analytics models.
- Data Visualization: Proven experience in creating impactful dashboards using Power BI, Streamlit, and Tableau.
- GIS Skills: Hands-on experience with GIS platforms (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) and geospatial analytics.
- Data Engineering: Experience in ETL processes and data pipeline development.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable business insights.

Good to Have

- Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) for hosting AI and GIS workloads.
- Familiarity with MLOps for model lifecycle management.
- Exposure to NLP, computer vision, and multimodal AI applications.

Soft Skills

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication (reports, presentations, stakeholder engagement).
- Adaptability to work on diverse and interdisciplinary projects.
- Proven leadership in driving projects from concept to successful delivery.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under tight timelines.
- Self-starter with an ability to work independently and in teams.
- Comfort working in dynamic, evolving environments.
- Ability to coordinate activities with superiors, colleagues, and consultants across multiple geographies (e.g., US, UK, Sub-Saharan Africa, S. Asia) and time zones in a manner respectful of different cultures, communication styles, and working hours.
- Strong team player that is committed to collegiality and collaboration in the workplace, while able to excel working independently under limited technical supervision.
- Willingness to travel (estimated up to 10%).

Additional Requirements

- This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.
- The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.
- Only candidates who have India work authorization will be considered.

Athena's Work Culture

At Athena, we function in an outcomes-based work environment with flexible hours and a high level of autonomy. Professional development and thought leadership are key elements of our business model: we support our team members professional growth through on-the-job training, and we encourage the cultivation of our colleagues personal brands through participation in panels, events, publications, and other thought-leadership opportunities. We embrace a transparent, open work environment with meaningful leadership pathways for those with inventive ideas and initiatives.

Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.