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Research Data Scientist

Pay
$80,100–132,204/yearAnnual period assumed — pay source
SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $80,100.00 - $132,204.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
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Work setting
Working pattern needs review — work setting source
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. ​
Read the full posting
Employment
Full-time — employment source
Employment type in the employer’s posting: Full time
From the employer’s posting

Before you apply

Work authorization
Citizens onlyActive TS/SCI Clearance

What you’ll work on

Full posting
  • Plan and conduct applied research and lead small-to-medium research efforts

  • Develop geospatial algorithms and processes that turn GEOINT and open-source data into spatiotemporal information

  • Design experiments and measure results with meaningful metrics

  • Automate analyst workflows and improve human processes

  • Report results and foster trusted relationships with sponsors

From the employer’s posting
plan and conduct applied research, provide technical guidance and oversight, lead small-to-medium research efforts
Support the creation of processes and algorithms to transform traditional GEOINT and open-source data into spatiotemporal information describing places, events, and activities
Ability to design experiments, perform analysis, and design or apply meaningful metrics to measure results
Collaborate with geospatial data analysts to understand and automate workflows and improve human processes
report results, foster trusted relationships with sponsors
Education & alternatives
Preferred skills/knowledge areas include: - A Doctorate degree - Git, GUI development, open source scientific computation, computer vision, modeling, or machine learning tools
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
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Posting record

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Open 4 monthsWe first saw this posting 134 days ago and it is still up. Roles open this long are often slow to fill or kept open to collect applications.

Status in our records
Live
First seen by us
Jun 22, 2026134 days ago
Recorded sightings
134
Last seen by us
Nov 4, 2026

These dates show when we found the posting. Check the employer’s website to confirm it is still accepting applications.

How this job compares

Pay

Lower than most similar jobs

$80.1K–$132K against $118K–$193K, the middle half of what similar US postings state.

From 3,721 postings in the last year. Stated ranges, not salaries paid.

Time since we first saw it

Day 134

Up longer than most. Similar jobs usually come down between day 7 and day 55.

From 9,990 similar postings that came down. Coming down is not always a hire.

Psu is hiring

19 open jobs

Open jobs by the week we first saw them, last 12 weeks.

  • Data Scientist hiring has slowed
  • Takes jobs down at a usual pace
  • 11% of open jobs were reposted
Hiring record

See how this role fits your experience

Add your resume and we’ll mark which of these tools you already use, and point out anything in the posting that could rule you out.

  • Java
  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • R
  • C++
Where the posting names them
- Adapt and learn new skills, to execute specific research projects, and to meet task deadlines and goals - Computer programming in one or more of the following: Python, R, Java, C++, or Matlab - Highly adaptable, creative, lateral thinkers that enjoy a collaborative environment

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About the role

We file this job under Data Scientist, by the work the posting describes.

Data scientists use statistics and models to answer harder questions, such as whether a change worked, what demand will look like next quarter, or which customers are likely to leave.

Postings usually ask for Python or R, SQL, statistics, experiment design and common machine learning methods.

Unlike an ML engineer, a data scientist's main output is often an analysis or a first model, not software running inside a product.

US government figures for data scientists

Median yearly pay, May 2025
$120,230
Expected change, 2025 to 2035
34.6% more jobsagainst 3.5% for all jobs

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and Employment Projections (2025 to 2035). Occupation code 15-2051.

Job description

View original posting ↗

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

​

 

 

POSITION SPECIFICS​

We are looking for Research Data Scientist, to join our Geospatial Data Science team in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State.   You will aid our research efforts in this unique problem area that has applications in defense, law enforcement, security, disaster relief, human geography, disaster preparedness, and first response. 

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

  • Lead programs and teams and be part of a highly collaborative environment
  • Collaborate with geospatial data analysts to understand and automate workflows and improve human processes to advance the discovery and modeling of associations, trends, patterns and system dynamics
  • Support the creation of processes and algorithms to transform traditional GEOINT and open-source data into spatiotemporal information describing places, events, and activities
  • Combine full spectrum source data with modeling capabilities that associate real world objects to known signatures and doctrines
  • Develop the ability to discover and capture information from geospatial data to better represent the most advanced understanding of world events, systems, and discrete entities
  • Apply the scientific method across multiple disciplines to advance data and geospatial sciences and develop data analytics through systematic experimentation
  • Support scientific research projects and develop geospatial algorithms while collaborating among diverse domains to further scientific understanding and the use of analytic tools
  • Grow in career and capabilities, plan and conduct applied research, provide technical guidance and oversight, lead small-to-medium research efforts, report results, foster trusted relationships with sponsors, and advise on new and evolving technology and techniques
  • Engage in research efforts ranging from proof-of-concept through integrated production systems

Required skills/knowledge areas include:

  • Relevant work in Data Sciences, Computer Sciences, or Geospatial Sciences 
  • Work within DoD/IC Analysis or Operational environments
  • Ability to design experiments, perform analysis, and design or apply meaningful metrics to measure results
  • Adapt and learn new skills, to execute specific research projects, and to meet task deadlines and goals
  • Computer programming in one or more of the following: Python, R, Java, C++, or Matlab 
  • Highly adaptable, creative, lateral thinkers that enjoy a collaborative environment
  • Excellent communication skills, be dependable, responsive, curious, collaborative, and have high interpersonal skills
  • Active TS/SCI Clearance

Preferred skills/knowledge areas include:

  • A Doctorate degree
  • Git, GUI development, open source scientific computation, computer vision, modeling, or machine learning tools
  • High performance computing

Your working location will be in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

 

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None

 

ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

 

Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):
Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

 

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $80,100.00 - $132,204.00.

 

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

 

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

 

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Source details

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Selected passages from the saved posting. Check the full description for conditions and exceptions.

Pay
SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $80,100.00 - $132,204.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Location & working pattern

Penn State University Park

- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. ​
Work authorization
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):
Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. SALARY & BENEFITS

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