Royal Bank of Canada

Sr. Data Scientist

Royal Bank of Canada • $85K — $145K *
New York, NY 10025In-Person
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's or PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a quantitative field.
  • 3+ years of experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, or NLP, ideally in a financial setting.
  • Strong skills in quantitative modeling and statistical analysis applied to financial datasets.
  • Experience with large-scale data processing tools like Databricks and Snowflake.
  • Expert proficiency in PySpark and SQL for data processing and transformation.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and implementation of advanced analytical methodologies for complex research problems.
  • Identify alternative data sources and develop proprietary insights for institutional research.
  • Collaborate with research and technology teams on analytics and data optimization initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure for efficient data handling.
  • Mentor junior data scientists and foster a culture of learning within the team.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive rewards package with flexible benefits including a 401(k) plan with matching contributions.
  • Supportive leadership focused on your development through coaching.
  • Opportunity to make a significant impact within a high-performing team.
  • Challenging work opportunities that promote professional growth.
  • Close relationship-building opportunities with clients.
Full Job Description
Job Description

What is the opportunity?

The Sr. Data Scientist on this team plays a key role in delivering AI and data-driven solutions to our Institutional Research stakeholders and clients, driving innovation at the intersection of alternative data and cutting-edge machine learning.

What will you do?
  • Lead the design and implementation of statistical, machine learning, and mathematical methodologies to solve complex research problems and perform advanced data analysis leveraging alternative datasets.
  • Identify and evaluate novel data sources, to develop unique and proprietary insights for institutional research teams and clients - including web scraping, geolocation data, satellite imagery, NLP on unstructured data sources (such as news), and other non-traditional signals.
  • Collaborate closely with equity and macro research teams, technology teams, and cross-functional stakeholders on strategic initiatives, providing expertise in advanced analytics, data modelling, data cleansing, and data optimization.
  • Build, maintain, and enhance data pipelines and infrastructure using Databricks, Snowflake, PySpark, and SQL to ensure scalable, reliable, and efficient data processing across large alternative datasets.
  • Champion emerging technology trends and tools that can be leveraged to further the Alternative Data & AI platform, staying current with developments in generative AI, large language models, and alternative data sourcing.
  • Coordinate, generate, and maintain alternative data products, presentations, models, and databases of unique, alternative, and proprietary insights that support client-facing research.
  • Drive the development of big data and alternative data capabilities, leading coordination of cross-functional engineering and research initiatives within the Alternative Data & AI team.
  • Design and develop proprietary indices and factor models, applying rigorous quantitative methodologies to construct, backtest, and maintain financially relevant indices derived from alternative data signals.
  • Proactively identify new opportunities for engaging Research teams with novel data products and AI-driven analytical frameworks.
  • Mentor and develop junior data scientists, providing technical guidance during project execution and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the team.
  • Provide senior-level research support to stakeholders as required, acting as a subject matter expert on alternative data methodologies, index construction, and AI-driven analytics

Front Office
  • Proactively identify operational risks and control deficiencies in the business.
  • Review and comply with Firm Policies applicable to your business activities.
  • Escalate operational risk loss events, control deficiencies, and risks to your line manager and the relevant risk and control functions on a timely basis.

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have
  • Master's or PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or another quantitative field.
  • 3+ years of experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, or Statistics - ideally in a capital markets or financial research context.
  • Strong quantitative modelling skills, including statistical modelling, machine learning, and optimization techniques applied to financial or alternative datasets.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform complex data analysis on large volumes of structured and unstructured data, and to present findings clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Hands-on experience with Databricks for large-scale data processing and ML workflows, and Snowflake for cloud data warehousing and analytics.
  • Strong proficiency in PySpark for distributed data processing and SQL for data querying, transformation, and pipeline development across large datasets.
  • Experience in index construction and factor model development, including the design, backtesting, and ongoing maintenance of quantitative indices derived from alternative or financial data.
  • Creative and rigorous approaches to using alternative datasets to generate insights into the financial performance of companies and macroeconomic trends.
  • Deep expertise in data profiling, cleaning, feature engineering, and insight generation across diverse data types.
  • Expert working knowledge of Python and R, with strong overall coding abilities.
  • Expert-level experience with ETL processes across a variety of data types and formats.
  • Strong understanding of both NoSQL and SQL database architectures.
  • Expert technical documentation skills.

Nice-to-have
  • Familiarity with data visualization tools and techniques such as D3, R, Qlik, Tableau, and/or Power BI.
  • Proficiency in standard Python libraries including pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib.
  • Experience with ML Python libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
  • Experience with NLP Python libraries such as NLTK, spaCy, or Hugging Face - particularly for financial text analysis.
  • Exposure to generative AI and large language model (LLM) frameworks, with an interest in applying them to financial research use cases.
  • Prior experience in capital markets or institutional research environments.
  • Good understanding of financial markets, equity research workflows, and quantitative investing.
  • Familiarity with index governance, rebalancing methodologies, and index licensing frameworks is a plus.
  • GitHub repository demonstrating applied data science or research projects is appreciated.

What's in it for you?

  • A comprehensive Total Rewards Program include competitive compensation and flexible benefits, such as 401(k) program with company-matching contributions, health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and paid-time off.
  • Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities.
  • Ability to make a difference and lasting impact.
  • Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.
  • Opportunities to do challenging work.
  • Opportunities to build close relationships with clients.

The expected salary range for this particular position is $85,000-$145,000 (New York), depending on your experience, skills, and registration status, market conditions and business needs.

You have the potential to earn more through RBC's discretionary variable compensation program which gives you an opportunity to increase your total compensation, provided the business meets its performance targets and you meet your individual goals.

Job Skills
Actuarial Modeling, Big Data Management, Commercial Acumen, Data Mining, Data Science, Decision Making, Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Predictive Analytics, Python (Programming Language)

Additional Job Details

Address:

BROOKFIELD PLACE FKA 3 WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER, 200 VESEY STREET:NEW YORK

City:

New York

Country:

United States of America

Work hours/week:

40

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

CAPITAL MARKETS

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2026-07-14

Application Deadline:

2026-09-05
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

RBC is presently inviting candidates to apply for this existing vacancy. Applying to this posting allows you to express your interest in this current career opportunity at RBC. Qualified applicants may be contacted to review their resume in more detail.

About Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada Careers

Join the dynamic team at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), a global leader in financial services and a company committed to excellence and innovation. At RBC, we offer a wide range of job opportunities that empower professionals to shape their career paths with leadership, diversity training, and continuous growth.

Work You’ll Do

At Royal Bank of Canada, we are not just hiring; we are building a culture of innovation and leadership. Our team members are at the forefront of the financial industry, driving transformation and delivering targeted solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and communities.

Explore Job Opportunities and Employment at RBC

Whether you are starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, RBC offers positions that challenge your skills and fuel your ambition. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our job opportunities span across various functions and regions. Join us and be part of a team that values professional growth and diversity.

Internship and Professional Development

Kickstart your career with an internship at Royal Bank of Canada. Our internships provide invaluable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and insights into the financial services industry. Interns at RBC gain the skills necessary to excel and are often considered for full-time positions within the company.

Benefits and Culture

At RBC, we prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our employees. Our benefits package is designed to support our team members at every stage of their life and career. RBC’s culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and responsibility, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Career Growth and Innovation

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees through continuous learning and career development programs. At RBC, you will find endless opportunities to grow professionally through on-the-job experiences, formal training programs, and leadership development initiatives. Our commitment to innovation means we are constantly seeking out new ideas and perspectives, making RBC a perfect place for those who aim to lead and innovate.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is our strength. At Royal Bank of Canada, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and respected. Our diversity training programs are designed to educate and inspire, creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Start your journey with RBC today and be part of a world-class team known for its commitment to client service, community involvement, and innovation.

Stay Connected

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Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities awaiting you at RBC. Explore the possibilities with Royal Bank of Canada, where your future is filled with potential and the path to success is paved with countless opportunities for professional and personal growth. Join us and shape not just your career but the future of the financial industry.
Learn more about Royal Bank of Canada
Size
86,007 employees
Market Cap
$130.3 billion
Industry
Finance & Insurance
5 Year Trend
+8.7%
NASDAQ
RY
* Ladders Estimates

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