Jobs

Purpose: The Catalyst Research Group is a central research group / think tank for Mars Incorporated. Mars Inc is a large privately held corporation with sites worldwide. Catalyst is located in 3 locations: NJ USA, Brussels Belgium and Shanghai China. The group develops and brings in unique analytic methods and technologies that are not available elsewhere within Mars Inc. As we are faced with larger and more complex data sets, leading edge analytics and data mining modeling is crucial for gaining competitive advantage in business decision making. Challenges, opportunities and issues whose solution provides a strategic, high-impact sustainable edge for Mars are the primary focus of this position.

Because the sciences and technologies that Catalyst develops are often unique, ready to use IT solutions do not exist and the job holder needs to be able to develop both hardware and software solutions. To come up with results that are implementable within a research environment and then to lead the development of enterprise level robust solutions and ensure that they are transferred into the business.

Direct reports: Maximum 1 Mars Associate but normally 1- 2 contractors at any given time

Consultancies: Will need to liaise with academic institutions developing leading edge IT solutions in the analysis, storage and handling of massively large data bases. Even where existing software is used, the job holder will find themselves working beyond the normal use and will need to liaise / develop implementations with the major software manufacturers.

Key Results

• Prototype Development. Make ideas, concepts and new technologies identified and developed by the group into working prototypes that allow us to prove the concept and to demonstrate the viability.
• Build prototypes (both hardware and software).
• Prototype Conversions. Move proven prototypes into deployable turn-key applications within the business that provide a unique advantage for Mars over existing, external alternatives.
• Assist researchers in the execution of their research and specifically guide researchers in the use, capabilities and limitations of computer algorithms and hardware.
• Manage the creation of user interfaces through liaison between the researchers and clients.
• Create documentation at the level needed for deployment in the business.
• Maintain the IT infrastructure for a small department of researchers

Work Experience:

• Strong data warehousing and data cleansing and data mining expertise.
• Desired Programming skills: C++, VB, Matlab, Java, SQL Query language
• Server design and adaptation to specialized tasks.
• Strong statistical and analytical skills.

• A formal qualification in a computer science / engineering discipline and a knowledge of data warehousing and data mining both at the practical and leading edge academic level.
• Construction, maintenance, speed optimization and management of very large SQL databases.
• Expertise in SQL Language.
• Ability to operate within research projects where the striving for uniqueness and absence of ready made solutions results in a high degree of complexity, ambiguity, uncertainty and risk exists.
• Project Management Consulting and Stakeholder Management Skills.

Languages: English Fluency necessary. Additional languages a plus.

Travel: Some domestic and international travel required.

Contact information: Send cover letter and resume as word or standard text attachement to:

Ignacio Badilla
CatalystMars@gmail.com