AI and Emerging Technology(ET) Researcher

What you’ll doWe are seeking a passionate, tech-savvy, and detail-oriented AI and Emerging Technology Researcher to join the AI and Emerging Technology team at Canadian Tire Corporation. This role is pivotal in helping our organization stay ahead of technological advancements and competitive activities in the retail sector. The ideal candidate will be responsible for researching emerging technologies, analyzing their potential impact on our business, and providing insights to guide strategic investment and decision-making. This role requires a keen understanding of technology trends, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.Conduct in-depth research on emerging technologies with the potential to disrupt the retail market. Cultivate multiple information sources across industry and academia to ensure you are current with the bleeding edge of key technologies like artificial intelligence, web3, quantum computing, and robotics.Help foster strategic partnerships with academic institutions, industry experts, technology vendors, and startups to gain access to cutting-edge research and innovation.Track competitor activities and benchmark their technology adoption and innovation strategies.Evaluate the potential business impact and value of new technologies. Assess the timing for technology adoption and its alignment with the organization's strategic goals. Prepare detailed reports, whitepapers, and presentations to support investment and strategic decisions.Synthesize complex research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights for various stakeholder groups, including executives, managers, and technical teams. Prepare detailed reports, whitepapers, and presentations to support investment and strategic decisions.Participate in the formulation of emerging technology roadmaps and investment plans. Collaborate with business stakeholder to align innovation investments with business objectives.Provide actionable recommendations for incorporating emerging technologies into existing business models and practices, or for the development of new revenue streams.What you bringBachelor’s or Master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) field preferred, or equivalent experience.Advanced degrees or certifications in AI, machine learning, or emerging technologies are highly desirable.Minimum 3-5 years experience in professional, technology-focussed research and innovation.Excellent analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights and recommendationsStrong knowledge of current technological trends and developmentsExperience with technology evaluation frameworks and methodologiesFamiliarity with experimental design, data analysis, and statistical methodsExcellent communication and storytelling skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey research findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholder audiencesAbility to work independently as well as collaboratively within cross-functional teamsStrong time management skills to handle multiple research projects simultaneouslyCuriosity and a passion for continuous learning and staying updated with technological advancements.Proven experience of research excellence with article publications and conference presentations an asset.Hybrid We value flexibility. We have adopted a hybrid work model whereby employees use a combination of working in office and virtually in service of outcomes. Each leader is empowered to decide what work is best achieved in person based on the unique needs of their team.#LI-GT1