Data Science & AI Program Lead – Climate Tech Skilling
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Data Science & AI professional to support our innovative climate-focused training program. This role combines teaching, curriculum development, industry engagement, and student mentorship in applying data science and AI technologies to climate challenges and disaster management.
About the Program:
This role is part of Project Mahathi, a pioneering initiative by Climate Collective Foundation and Mahathi Degree College. The program offers a first-of-its-kind AI & Data for Climate 4th Year Honours Degree, designed to equip students from low-income, Tier 2 backgrounds with cutting-edge skills in climate technology, data science, and artificial intelligence.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and deliver a 4th Year Honours curriculum focused on the application of data science and artificial intelligence to climate risk and disaster resilience.
- Develop and lead hands-on, case-based modules using Python, including topics such as:
Geospatial analysis for climate infrastructure screening
Natural language processing for disaster communication
Generative AI for early warning and climate risk solutions - Provide high-quality instruction and mentorship to a cohort of 50+ students from low-income, Tier 2 backgrounds, with a strong focus on applied learning and career readiness.
- Supervise and support student projects that apply machine learning and AI to real-world climate problems using open datasets.
- Manage the setup, maintenance, and use of the AI/Climate Tech Lab and ensure effective use of available tools and hardware (e.g. high-end GPU machines, GIS software, Tableau).
- Coordinate expert guest lectures, technical tool sessions, and industry immersion experiences to expose students to real applications and career pathways.
- Provide guidance on professional development including CV building, communication skills, presentation design (e.g. Canva), and job interview readiness.
- Support training of faculty members in delivering AI and data science modules as part of a “train-the-trainer” initiative.
Requirements
Qualifications
Education:
- Minimum: Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Environmental Science, or a related field
- Relevant certifications in AI/ML, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), or data science tools are an advantage
Technical Expertise:
- Strong programming skills in Python (pandas, scikit-learn, geopandas, matplotlib); working knowledge of R is a plus
- Practical experience with machine learning, deep learning (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras), and model deployment workflows
- Proficiency in data visualization and analytics tools such as Tableau (preferred), Power BI, and SQL
- Experience with geospatial tools and data (QGIS, ArcGIS), and working with satellite or environmental datasets
- Familiarity with cloud platforms and version control (Git)
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience in data science, analytics, or AI
- At least 2 years of teaching, training, or mentoring in academic or professional settings
- Prior experience in the climate sector, ESG analytics, or environmental consulting is highly desirable
- Proven ability to lead projects, manage teams, and mentor learners from diverse backgrounds
Soft Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially in explaining complex topics to non-technical learners
- Passion for inclusive education and capacity building in under-resourced communities
- Collaborative mindset with an ability to work across domains (academia, government, startups)