The Data Scientist position supports spine-focused orthopedic research within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC San Diego Health. The role combines advanced research and computational/data science work with the design and optimization of HPC, data science, and CI tools and environments under the guidance of the Principal Investigator (PI). This contract role is hybrid, with onsite work at campus and remote participation.
Role Overview
Working under the general direction of the PI, the Data Scientist provides advanced computational and systems support for orthopedic studies focused on the spine. The work emphasizes advanced research, large-scale data infrastructure, and reliable, secure, scalable environments that enable multidisciplinary research teams to investigate biologic, physiologic, clinical, and economic health outcomes related to spine conditions.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide advanced research, computational, and systems support for spine-focused orthopedic studies under the general direction of the PI.
- Lead the design and optimization of data science tools, computational models, and large-scale data infrastructure supporting high-impact research tied to spine conditions.
- Use expertise in computer science, data science, and distributed computing to build and maintain complex storage, networking, and HPC environments for multidisciplinary research teams.
- Contribute to major system implementations, resolve advanced technical issues, and support research and technical staff as needed to maintain reliability, security, and scalability for critical research systems.
- Apply advanced principles of computational, computer science, data science, and CI software research and development, including relevant domain science knowledge where applicable, to complete highly complex research, technology, and software development efforts.
- Design, develop, and optimize components and tools for major HPC, data science, and CI projects across diverse research application areas.
- Resolve complex research and technology development and integration issues.
- Deliver technical presentations to research and technology groups and to management.
- Evaluate new hardware and software technologies to advance complex HPC, data science, and CI projects.
- May represent the organization at national and international meetings, conferences, and committees.
- Assist with the design, implementation, and recommendations for new hardware and software technologies advancing HPC, data science, and CI projects.
- May lead a team of research and technical staff.
- Perform other duties as needed to support ongoing scientific and operational objectives.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of nine (9) years of related experience, education, and training, or a Bachelor’s degree in a related area plus five (5) or more years of relevant experience.
- Advanced knowledge of HPC, data science, and CI.
- Highly advanced skills and demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: HPC hardware and software power and performance analysis and research, and the design, modification, implementation, and deployment of large-scale HPC, data science, or CI applications and tools.
- Demonstrated knowledge of cloud computing and highly complex multi-institutional data science and software implementation studies.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with unit-level management.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical personnel at multiple organizational levels and to external research and education audiences.
- In-depth skills and experience independently resolving complex computing, data, and CI problems using introductory and/or intermediate principles.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Advanced experience in a complex computing/data/CI environment, encompassing all or some of: HPC, data science infrastructure and tools/software, and diverse domain science application areas.
- In-depth ability to work and/or lead multiple concurrent projects, including demonstrated research and technology project leadership and management skills.
- Experience working with a multi-center team of clinical and hospital IT experts to deploy advanced clinical decision support systems involving artificial intelligence.
- In-depth experience assessing technical and research needs and establishing priorities, including delegating and/or leading development of solutions to meet those needs.
- Demonstrated advanced experience optimizing and benchmarking HPC performance, power modeling, and analyzing hardware, software, and applications for HPC/data/CI.
- Demonstrated advanced experience with Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Matlab.
- Must have experience with real-time implementation of artificial intelligence clinical decision support systems and health care data exchange protocols.
- Advanced knowledge of cloud computing environments such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud platform (GCP), AI system architecture design, and scalable and serverless computing.
- Demonstrated ability to initiate research proposals and acquire funding.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in grant submittals and/or publications.
- Master’s degree in Computer/Computational/Data Science, or Domain Sciences with computer/computational/data specialization.
- Five (5) or more years of relevant experience in big data analytics, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, and healthcare.
- Doctorate degree in a related field.
- Experience in multisite clinical data harmonization.
- Demonstrated knowledge of common data fields in the area of musculoskeletal clinical care.
Required Technologies
- Python
- TensorFlow
- PyTorch
- Matlab
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Google Cloud platform (GCP)
Work Location and Schedule
Location: San Diego, CA, United States (hybrid). Work includes onsite activity at the campus and remote participation.
Compensation
Salary: USD 140,000 - 180,000 per year.
Employment Details
- Job Type: contract
- Date Posted: 08/19/2026
- Filing Deadline: Wed 9/2/2026
- Posting Reference: #140926 DATA SCIENTIST - HYBRID
- Overtime/Weekends: Overtime and weekends may be required.
- Background Check: Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
Pay Transparency Act Information
Annual Full Pay Range: Unclassified - No data available (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%). Hourly Equivalent: Unclassified - No data available. Factors in determining compensation include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable.
