Principal Data Scientist

WIL is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead AI and machine-learning research on workforce and public-program data as principal investigator on federally funded projects.

About the Workforce Intelligence Lab (WIL)

The Workforce Intelligence Lab (WIL) is an applied workforce research initiative. WIL builds methodology-transparent workforce intelligence, including labor demand signals, occupational and credential pathways, and training-to-employment outcome measures, and works with education, employer, research, and community partners to turn that evidence into grant and sponsored-project collaborations. Learn more: https://wilinstitute.org

Opportunity type: this is a contingent proposal opportunity in WIL's expert collaborator network, not a funded vacancy. It supports a competitive grant application WIL is preparing; no award has been made, and there is no guaranteed work or funding. If an award proceeds and the staffing model calls for it, WIL may offer a project-based contract or consulting engagement. We will ask before naming you or including your resume in any proposal.

What you'll do
- Serve as principal investigator or co-PI on AI and workforce data-science research proposals
- Design research questions, data pipelines, and machine-learning or statistical methods
- Lead dataset creation, documentation, and responsible-AI practices
- Supervise analysts and coordinate with domain and implementation partners
- Write technical sections, project descriptions, and data-management plans
- Contribute qualifications and past-performance narrative to WIL proposals when you authorize naming

Apply to be considered.

Requirements

Required
- Track record leading AI, machine-learning, or applied data-science research projects
- Publications, funded projects, or shipped products demonstrating research leadership
- Experience writing technical sections of research or innovation grant proposals
- Strong Python/R and data-engineering skills
- Comfortable as a project-based contract collaborator; remote US

Nice to have
- PhD preferred (computer science, statistics, economics, or related field)
- Prior federal research or small-business innovation award as PI or co-PI
- Workforce, labor-market, or health-program data experience