Data Scientist Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
EUROCONTROL is an intergovernmental organization established in 1960, dedicated to supporting European aviation. With a mission to develop a seamless European air traffic management system, EUROCONTROL operates across 41 member states and employs over 1,800 staff members. The organization focuses on enhancing safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability in air traffic management, and it plays a crucial role in coordinating air traffic control across Europe. EUROCONTROL is committed to innovation and collaboration, working with various stakeholders in the aviation sector to improve operational performance and support the future of air travel.

Job Overview:
The scientist" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Data Scientist Assistant position is situated within the Aviation Transformation Directorate at EUROCONTROL, specifically in the Centre of Expertise (CoE). This role is pivotal in supporting the team’s activities by analyzing and preparing data, contributing to machine learning and AI solutions, and transforming data into actionable insights. The assistant will engage in various tasks, including the design, development, validation, and deployment of machine learning models, as well as working with Large Language Models. The role requires a proactive approach to extracting, processing, and cleaning data from multiple sources, ensuring data quality, and supporting analysis and reporting. The Data Scientist Assistant will also be responsible for conducting exploratory and statistical analyses, maintaining databases, contributing to scientific papers, and staying updated with trends in data science. This position is designed for individuals who are eager to support innovation and operational decision-making through data-driven insights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Data Scientist Assistant include:

• Providing specialized support in the design, development, validation, and deployment of machine learning models, including supervised and unsupervised methods, feature engineering, model evaluation, and optimization.
• Assisting in the design, development, and deployment of solutions using Large Language Models, including prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation.
• Extracting, processing, cleaning, and verifying structured and unstructured data from various sources to ensure data quality.
• Conducting exploratory and statistical analyses to draw insights and make predictions that enhance operations.
• Maintaining and updating databases and data repositories, contributing to model training, dashboards, reports, and ad-hoc analyses.
• Contributing to scientific papers and preparing materials for conferences, meetings, and presentations under the guidance of experienced staff.
• Staying informed about trends in data science and sharing knowledge within the Agency’s communities.
• Supporting and training less experienced data scientists and analysts.
• Performing any other tasks aligned with the primary purpose of the job.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following qualifications: Completion of post-secondary education in a relevant field that aligns with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 5 or higher, followed by a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in applying machine-learning techniques and/or data analysis. At least two years of this experience should be in the aviation domain, such as air traffic management or flight operations. Additionally, completion of third-level studies meeting EQF Level 6 in a relevant domain (e.g., Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics) is considered an asset. Candidates should possess a solid understanding of various machine learning techniques, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, along with awareness of their practical advantages and limitations. Proficiency in Python is mandatory, and experience with relational (SQL) and NoSQL databases, cloud environments (especially Microsoft Azure), data visualization tools (like Power BI), and AI tools for data science is desirable. Candidates should also have a strong foundation in mathematics and statistics, including knowledge of validation methods applied in aviation concepts.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of post-secondary education in a relevant field that meets the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 5 or higher. Candidates with third-level studies meeting EQF Level 6 in relevant domains such as Mathematics, Computer Science, or Physics will have an advantage. This educational foundation is essential for understanding and applying machine learning techniques and data analysis effectively within the aviation context.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 5 years of relevant experience in applying machine learning techniques and data analysis. Out of this, a minimum of 2 years should be specifically in the aviation domain, which may include areas such as air traffic management, network management, or flight operations. This level of experience is crucial for the candidate to effectively contribute to the team's objectives and support innovation in air traffic management.

Languages:
For this position, candidates must be proficient in English at level C1, as it is one of the working languages of the Agency. Additionally, the selected candidate will be required to achieve basic proficiency in French at level A2 before the end of the probation period. This language requirement is essential for effective communication within the multinational and multicultural environment of EUROCONTROL.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role with a duration of 5 years, with the possibility of renewal or conversion under certain conditions. The selected candidate will be required to complete a probationary period of nine months before being established in the post. The appointment may be renewed multiple times, but the total duration, including all renewal periods, cannot exceed nine years. The working arrangement follows a hybrid model, allowing for a combination of onsite presence and teleworking opportunities, subject to internal rules and managerial approval. Applications are accepted only from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States, and candidates must provide documentary evidence confirming they meet the minimum education requirements. The organization is committed to equality and diversity, and in the event of equal merit, preference may be given to applicants from under-represented diversity characteristics.