Data scientist at ING Analytics

ING’s goal is to enable people to “do their thing” and empower them to stay a step ahead in life and in business. We are one of the largest banks in Europe and we continuously evolve to become one of the most innovative companies in the banking sector. The ING Analytics group is a major driving force in ING’s transformation, aimed at helping us to become a data-driven digital leader and creating tangible value for ING and its customers through world-class analytics models, products, and services.

If you want to work at a place where we believe that you can live by the Agile manifesto without jeopardizing the necessary continuity, compliance and QA measures, where we are committed to deliver stable and secure services to end users, and where we have a 'no nonsense' getting-things done mentality, please read on!

What department?

The Wholesale Banking Advanced Analytics department (INGA-WB) has the mission to make Wholesale Banking in ING data driven. We do this by combining big data technology with data science to deliver high value solutions and products for our organization. We work in a fun and creative environment and we’re dedicated to bringing out the best in both each other and our projects. We have offices in Amsterdam, Katowice, Warsaw, London and Romania. INGA-WB focusses on building algorithmic 10x data-driven products that benefit our Wholesale Banking clients and generate revenue for the bank. The tribe is formed of four Chapters (Data Science, Data Engineering, UX, and Product Management) and has roughly 50 full-time employees and 7 other data scientists.

"A day in the life of a data scientist"

There are no “typical” days for a data scientist in INGA-WB. On any given day I wear many hats. I might start my day reviewing a merge request, ahead of our Scrum meeting. Following which I will rush off to a meeting with a business expert to discuss a recent analysis I prepared, that might even involve walking them through the python notebook I prepared with a subsample of data. In the afternoon, I’ll sit with colleagues to discuss cutting-edge machine learning methodologies, that might involve helping each other through some difficult math on a white board. Perhaps the only thing “typical” or “standard” in my day is making sure to take out after lunch for a quick game of ping pong with the team.

As a Data Scientist in INGA-WB ...

You are passionate about your field of work: data science. You look to not only develop predictive algorithms, but also to actually deliver them as a working product to end-users and incorporate their feedback in the product. You know how to apply machine learning algorithms, but more importantly, you know how they work under the hood. You want to work with key developments in the data science area. Experimenting with new algorithms and technology. As data scientist you will be responsible for scoping, developing, validating, and documenting machine learning-based solutions which will form the core of products which INGA-WB develops for ING. This will also include carrying out world-class Research and Development where appropriate to arrive at a solution, as well as potentially guiding and mentoring more junior members or Masters students (though you will not be a line manager).

Job description

Your passion is to work with the latest and greatest technologies in the field of data science. You will participate in maintaining the data analytics capability. Besides this, you will build and improve predictive models using statistical and machine learning techniques. You will work in one of the finest engineering teams of the world, to implement the algorithms and visualisations you’ve helped to build as prototypes. You will design, analyse and interpret business hypothesis and explore datasets through using available tools and recommend ideas to business when data/results is available through good visualizations / predictive algorithms. Last but not least, you assist users to understand the data science principles and when needed provide an explanation for the model behaviour and possible correcting actions.

Our Stack

Within the INGA-WB team we mainly use the following technologies and frameworks:

• Python with packages:
  • Numpy
  • Pandas
  • Sklearn
  • PyTorch
  • Spark (Pyspark, Spark ML)
  • Kedro

Do you recognize yourself in this profile:

• MSc or PhD with excellent academic results in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or other exact disciplines
• Knowledgeable in statistics, calculus and applied math.
• Knowledgeable about machine learning techniques and willingness to keep the knowledge up-to-date. You have an in-depth understanding of algorithms like Random Forests, Neural Networks, MCMC and reinforcement learning.
• You have experience with unsupervised learning with a strong focus on anomaly detection and time series predictions.
• As we hire for potential and a very strong fit with the team, rather than experience, we consider past work experience a plus, but this can be substituted with excellent capabilities.
• Strong programming skills in Python, Experience in delivering (near) production grade code.
• Familiar with engineering tools like Docker or strong willingness to learn and use it. Furthermore, you like working with tools like Spark and Hadoop, though extensive experience with this is not necessary at the start.
• Experience in working in an agile/scrum way is a plus, but at least you should have a strong willingness to do so.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills at technical and business level.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Moreover

• You have a learning attitude. Not only to master new algorithms and technologies, but also on the interpersonal level. You realize that the value of your work is quality x acceptance and want to become better at both. You are proven to be able to give, ask and incorporate feedback.
• You have experience in building data products. From inception to production. With your full-stack capabilities, you can build a prototype, but also improve an issue within the existing models in production. You love coding.
• You feel at home in a high-performing team and you make the other team members feel at home as well. You have the independence to speak up when needed.
• You have exceptional problem-solving capabilities. You understand that understanding the problem is at least 90% of the solution. You have displayed creativity and tenacity in cracking the problem and finding a solution to it.
• Active (or impressive) Github and/or Kaggle profile.

What do we offer?

Working at ING means working in a dynamic and international setting. Individual development of our employees is very important and that is why ING offers excellent courses and programs. You will become a member of the INGA-WB team, a prestigious, no-nonsense and high-output data-science team. Diva behaviour is not tolerated, neither is underperformance. We only hire people with exceptional talents and capabilities! You will work on the most innovative projects within ING. In addition we offer:

• Fun!
• A competitive salary
• Working with highly skilled people
• Working in an area which is of great importance to the strategy of ING
• A relaxed and fun team
• An International atmosphere
• A full time position (40 hour week)
• Great training and education opportunities

Are you keen to know more or apply?

For further inquiries, please contact Stanley Waccary (Recruitment Business Partner), Stanley.Waccary@ing.com.

ING has a policy of promoting diversity. We are looking forward to getting to know you.