Associate Data Scientist

Work on applied research in statistics, analytics, machine learning, and AI to help government and industry partners address cybersecurity challenges.

Responsibilities

• Partner with customers to pinpoint where advanced statistical methods can address their problems
• Plan and develop prototype solutions
• Build out final products from prototypes
• Co-author research proposals
• Execute studies and analyze results
• Present findings to DoW sponsors and at academic conferences
• Design metrics and experimental plans for large-scale cybersecurity research programs
• Develop human-in-the-loop machine learning solutions
• Build classifiers to identify security vulnerabilities

Requirements

• BS in a highly-quantitative field (data science, machine learning, computer science, statistics, or related) plus 3 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• OR MS in the same disciplines plus 1 year of experience
• OR PhD in data science, machine learning, computer science, statistics, or a related highly-quantitative discipline
• Ability and willingness to complete modest travel to various locations to support the SEI’s mission
• Subject to a background check and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of War security clearance

Technologies

• Languages and data: R; Python (NumPy/SciPy/Pandas/Polars); MATLAB
• Forecasting: Prophet, NeuralProphet, Chronos, Lag-Llama
• LLM and RAG: LLMs, RAG, LangChain, LlamaIndex, Haystack
• APIs and serving: FastAPI, Triton, KServe
• Cloud and ML platforms: SageMaker, Vertex AI
• Big data: Spark, Trino, Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks
• Modeling libraries: LightGBM, XGBoost, CatBoost
• Deep learning: PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in predictive modeling, data science, and/or AI and machine learning
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling and advanced data analytics
• Proficiency with at least one mathematical/statistical programming package (examples include R, Python (NumPy/SciPy/Pandas/Polars), MATLAB)
• Ability to imagine novel analytical approaches and apply them in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Strong communication skills
• Expertise in one or more areas:
  • Recommendation systems
  • Time-series forecasting (Prophet, NeuralProphet, Chronos, Lag-Llama, etc.)
  • NLP and LLMs (fine-tuning, RAG, evaluation, prompt engineering)
  • Causal inference, uplift modeling, or synthetic controls
  • Modern ML frameworks (LightGBM, XGBoost, CatBoost, PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow)
  • LLMs and agentic workflows (LangChain, LlamaIndex, Haystack)
  • Model deployment (FastAPI, Triton, KServe, SageMaker, Vertex AI, or similar)
  • Big data (Spark, Trino, Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks)
  • Multimodal AI

Desired Experience

• Experience in cybersecurity and privacy is a plus
• Experience in U.S. Government work and/or with FFRDCs, UARCs, and National Labs is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to learn new concepts and grow into new work areas

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions
• Tuition benefits
• Paid time off
• Observed holidays
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass
• Access to Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs
• Fitness center access

Location and Work Setup

• Onsite location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Additional location listed: Arlington, VA; Pittsburgh, PA

Job Details

• Position type: Staff – Regular
• Full time
• Pay basis: Salary
• Job function: Software/Applications Development/Engineering
• Minimum experience: 3 years (for BS route)