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.

Learn more: https://startupearthcenter.com/mahathi

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)