Associate Data Scientist, DIBI

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY The Defense Industrial Base Institute at Northeastern University (NU) – a rapidly growing defense focused institute that conducts cutting‑edge applied R&D – is seeking an experienced and highly capable Jr. Data Scientist with expertise in applying methods/frameworks/systems that apply ML&AI. The Jr. Data Scientist will operate as part of a multi-disciplinary team (academia, industry and government) and will contribute directly to the successful execution of federally funded projects/activities, Responsibilities include providing technical expertise and analytical support to Principal investigators or co‑principal investigators as a Jr.

Data Scientist for a wide range of projects and activities involving machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), including autonomy, sensing and communication, and decision support systems, among others. The Jr, Data Scientist will work collaboratively with and help guide, multi‑disciplinary teams across the DIBI Higher Education Consortium — spanning academic, government, and industry partners — to design, validate, and maintain datasets and analytical products that inform institute leadership and sponsor decision‑making.

Specifically, the Jr. Data Scientist will take a role in building and maintaining the data pipelines and analytical components underlying the existing Navigator methodology, working closely with — and providing guidance to — data researchers, engineers, and leadership across the institute. Successful candidates will be responsible team players and passionate about machine learning technologies, as well as possess a deep understanding of machine learning technology and experience in turning machine learning systems into practical, state‑of‑the‑art systems that can be enhanced for projects or activities as per federal agency.

A close working relationship with the team, along with creative thinking on the application of the Navigator framework for government and industry contracts, will be required. The primary office for this position is located at NU’s Boston Campus Through NU, the institute offers an impressive benefits package, including multiple retirement plan options with extremely generous matching, as well as tuition waiver for classes and advanced degree programs.

A full description of available benefits can be found on the NU website.

• Education & Experience Required Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field 2–4 years of professional experience in software engineering, data science, or applied R&D, with exposure to machine learning and AI system development in research, prototype, or production environments. Preferred Master’s degree or Ph.D with a focus on data science, data‑intensive systems, network science, optimization, or related areas.
  
  Experience contributing to government, defense, or security‑related R&D programs (internships, fellowships, or full‑time roles). Familiarity with simulation‑based models (e.g., physics‑based, network‑based, agent‑based, or stochastic simulations) for analysis, experimentation, or decision support.

• Advanced proficiency in Python and/or R studio and familiarity with modern ML/AI development workflows. Exposure to C++ and/or Java for performance‑critical components Experience contributing to the design, implementation, testing, or evaluation of ML/AI‑enabled or simulation‑drive software systems. Demonstrated experience with data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, matplotlib, Plotly), including designing dashboards for executive or sponsor audiences. Proven experience independently building,…