
research data scientist
Penn State University Talent Acquisition
University Park, PAFull-time$80–132K/yrSeen 2w agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago
Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.
You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.
Watch jobs like this. New roles like this one near University Park, PA, by email.
Don't just apply. Show up ready.
Olive works from this exact posting.
At a glance
Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.
Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory is seeking a Research Data Scientist for its Geospatial Data Science team in State College, Pennsylvania. The role supports applied research for defense, law enforcement, security, disaster relief, and other areas. The scientist will develop geospatial algorithms, conduct research, guide technical efforts, and collaborate with analysts and sponsors. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an active TS/SCI clearance.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. 2. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. 3. 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, seeNotice 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: 1. Lead programs and teams and be part of a highly collaborative environment 2. 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 3. Support the creation of processes and algorithms to transform traditional GEOINT and open-source data into spatiotemporal information describing places, events, and activities 4. Combine full spectrum source data with modeling capabilities that associate real world objects to known signatures and doctrines 5. 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 6. Apply the scientific method across multiple disciplines to advance data and geospatial sciences and develop data analytics through systematic experimentation 7. Support scientific research projects and develop geospatial algorithms while collaborating among diverse domains to further scientific understanding and the use of analytic tools 8. 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 9. Engage in research efforts ranging from proof-of-concept through integrated production systems Required skills/knowledge areas include: 1. Relevant work in Data Sciences, Computer Sciences, or Geospatial Sciences 2. Work within DoD/IC Analysis or Operational environments 3. Ability to design experiments, perform analysis, and design or apply meaningful metrics to measure results 4. Adapt and learn new skills, to execute specific research projects, and to meet task deadlines and goals 5. Computer programming in one or more of the following: Python, R, Java, C++, or Matlab 6. Highly adaptable, creative, lateral thinkers that enjoy a collaborative environment 7. Excellent communication skills, be dependable, responsive, curious, collaborative, and have high interpersonal skills 8. Active TS/SCI Clearance Preferred skills/knowledge areas include: 1. A Doctorate degree 2. Git, GUI development, open source scientific computation, computer vision, modeling, or machine learning tools 3. 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 Bachel r's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired 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 atwww.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. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is commi
How this job compares
Set against the 4,618 open Data Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$80–132K/yr
- Pennsylvania median$109–194K/yr70 salary ranges
- US median$133–210K/yr3,652 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $106K, is 30% below the Pennsylvania median midpoint ($151K) — in the lowest quarter of Data Scientist salary ranges in Pennsylvania.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 115 open Data Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania and 4,618 across the US. 7% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Pennsylvania
- PNC11 open
- Carnegie Mellon University8 open
- Deloitte8 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 3 years of experience; Data Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (4,010 postings).
- Education
- 2,262 of the 4,618 open Data Scientist jobs (49%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
Prepare for this role
You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.
