Principal Data Scientist - Washington, DC office

Principal Data Scientist - Washington, DC office

JOB SUMMARY:

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking an experienced Principal Data Scientist to join the Statistics and Data Science department. This position is contingent on contract award. We are open to part-time or full-time candidates.

The Principal Data Scientist plays a top role in working with our research teams to produce valuable insights for our clients. This position supports the development of the strategy and vision for our largest data or more complicated analysis projects; may manage both the activities and the work product of data analysts and/or data scientists; provide input and guidance to task leaders especially regarding data acquisition, questionnaire content, data analysis, and overall data dissemination; design, develop, and deploy algorithms, models, and work flows to discover valuable information in various sources; bring structure to large data sets; evaluate the data, construct models, create business applications, and work closely with organizational leaders to provide input into strategic business implications for the organization. The Principal Data Scientist is expected to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Location : This is a hybrid role based in our downtown Washington, DC office, with a regular office presence at our office and the client site.

Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens due to security clearance requirements for projects.

DEPARTMENT: Statistics and Data Science

The Statistics and Data Science department implements state-of-the-art statistical methods and develops innovations to deliver reliable data and rigorous analyses that guide critical programmatic, business and policy decisions for NORC clients. The department provides leadership throughout the project lifecycle on study design, data collection, assessment of data quality, quantitative analysis, and dissemination of results. The Statistics and Data Science department also conducts its own research and is a leader in designing and implementing rigorous, efficient methods for sampling, weighting, and imputation for sample surveys and evaluation research. The department provides expertise and leads NORC strategy on the use of a broad range of methods and techniques, including statistical modeling, machine learning methods, data linkage, statistical matching, statistical disclosure limitation, small area estimation, Bayesian analysis, assessing data quality, data visualization for analyzing and interpreting data, and developing approaches using artificial intelligence (AI) that support NORC’s research. The department collaborates with departments throughout NORC, as well as leading its own projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify data from multiple sources, perform analysis and recommend applications to add value to project and corporate initiatives, provide insight into important business issues and/or solve a pressing business problem. Employ and oversee advanced machine learning/natural language processing. Oversee AI implementations.
• Develops the platforms and tools to enhance the organization's analytic capabilities.
• Work closely with project leaders on implications of the data for processes and decisions.
• Provide leadership for large‑scale AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics initiatives, including natural language processing (NLP), predictive modeling, record linkage, and synthetic data generation in production environments.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams of data scientists and technical staff to deliver enterprise‑scale AI/ML solutions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Responsible AI, communicating AI governance, risk management, and ethical AI practices to senior leaders, clients, public audiences, and technical teams.
• Support the development and implementation of AI governance frameworks aligned with NIST standards and federal best practices.
• Collaborate with Census and population statistics stakeholders to advance methodologies for survey research, demographic estimation, and population measurement.
• Recommends methodology and oversees implementation of, data management, merging, cleaning, transforming and harmonizing data.
• Using a wide degree of creativity and latitude, develops hypotheses, designs experiments and tests feasibility of proposed initiatives.
• Engage in business development activities including leading proposal efforts, authoring various sections of the technical proposal.
• Train and supervise staff on specific protocols and tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• PhD required in Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or Social Science related field.
• Knowledge required: Expert level foundation in areas of statistics, mathematics, computer science, machine learning, and scientific methods of inquiry.
• At least 15 years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility, working with large datasets and conducting statistical and quantitative modeling, melding analytics with strong programming, data mining, clustering and segmentation. Domain expertise preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading large data science organizations, including direct management of teams of approximately 40 or more data scientists and technical professionals.
• Extensive hands‑on experience developing, deploying, and scaling production AI/ML solutions, including NLP, predictive analytics, record linkage, synthetic data, and related advanced methodologies.
• Experience influencing and coordinating work across larger organizations or programs involving 100+ staff is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to explain complex AI, machine learning, and Responsible AI concepts to executive leaders, clients, public audiences, and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Experience establishing or operating AI governance programs aligned with NIST frameworks and federal AI guidance.
• Advanced problem solving skills, quantitative/qualitative analysis skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments to meet project needs.
• Experience in client communications and relationship management; strong technical writing skills, strong verbal skills; and data visualization/presentation.
• Able to explain technology, techniques and approaches to others.
• Strong data programming skills in statistical packages and database tools such as SAS, SQL, Python, R, Tableau, Hadoop, Hive, MapReduce and/or other large data systems.
• Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens due to security clearance requirements for projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with the U.S. Census Bureau, Census-related programs, or other large‑scale population statistics organizations is strongly preferred.
• Experience with international population counts, census operations, or national statistical agencies (e.g., Statistics Canada) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of demographic estimation, survey methodology, record linkage, population measurement, and official statistics preferred.
• Established leadership in Responsible AI, AI governance, and trustworthy AI implementation within research, government, or large enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated success managing large, geographically distributed analytics and data science teams.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The pay range for this position is $183,000 to $250,000 for a full‑time employee.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment
• Dental and vision insurance
• A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program
• Group life insurance, long‑term and short‑term disability insurance
• Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices. We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs. This role is bonus eligible. Bonus payment is contingent upon program terms and individual performance.

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non‑partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE:

For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world‑class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT:

NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics.

Advertised: August 31, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time Applications close: Open until filled