Deadline Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026

Requirement: Data Scientist for AI Opportunities & Solutions Cell

Location: Mons, BE

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Total Scope of the request (hours): 696

Required Start Date: 27 August 2026

End Contract Date: 31 December 2026

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

Duties & Role:  

• Analyse near- and long-term AI opportunities with clear operational value for space-based ISR workflows.
• Prepare and curate labelled datasets for assessments, demonstrations, and analysis initiatives.
• Recommend methods to strengthen data collection and management to enhance space-based intelligence workflows
• Conduct monthly training sessions to educate stakeholders and end users on AI and geospatial data science.
• Provide technical/logistical assistance to showcase AI tools and progress during Demo Day or program demonstrations.
• Evaluate analytics capabilities and recommend actionable reports for improvement.
• Perform a review of emerging AI technologies and recommend applications for NATO's ISR capabilities.
• Shared resource: SHAPE J2 Capability Development (J2 CapDev) and NCIA CTO's Data & Ai Center of Excellence (Data & Ai CoE).

Specific Working Conditions: The Contractors shall provide services primarily on site at SHAPE, Mons, BE. Offsite work may be authorized when necessary to support service delivery, provided it is coordinated with and approved by the line manager, and takes place within a NATO member nation.

The Contractor's personnel shall support the Purchaser during normal working hours, Monday to Friday, 08:30–17:30 (CET), excluding SHAPE recognized holidays.

The Contractor's personnel shall have access to the necessary NCIA IT systems and must comply with all applicable NCIA policies, security requirements, and procedural guidelines.

Travel may be required to NCIA The Hague, Brussels, NATO Commands, or other NATO locations, with up to nine trips per contractor outside Belgium. Visits for meetings at NCIA Brussels are expected on a regular basis (up to 4 times a month).

Requirements

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• The candidate must have a currently active NATO SECRET security clearance
• A nationally recognized or certified university degree in data science, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, or a related field.
• Exceptionally, candidates without a university degree may qualify if they possess significant expertise (minimum 3 years) relevant to the role and duties.
• 3+ years working on AI for imagery or geospatial analysis in production or mission environments (industry, government, or defence).
• Demonstrated expertise in artificial intelligence/machine learning workflows, including data labelling, preparation, and processing for large-scale imagery or geospatial datasets.
• Experience developing and delivering training and demo materials to mixed technical/non-technical audiences.
• Python (NumPy, Pandas) and ML frameworks (TensorFlow or PyTorch).
• Data visualization tools/techniques.
• Ability to lead ideation sessions, build rapid ML prototypes, and translate operational needs into measurable model/evaluation requirements.
• Familiarity with Responsible AI principles.
• Fluent in Business English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience interacting effectively with non-technical stakeholders.
• High motivation with flexibility and adaptability to new challenges.
• Creativity