Data Scientist II - Machine Learning

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a Data Scientist. This position is an onsite/hybrid opportunity located in Columbus, OH.

Battelle's Health Research and Analytics division supports government, academic, and private industry clients in the areas of public health, healthcare, national defense, environmental, transportation, and energy. In this role, you will address data analysis needs for complex and unusual problems, collaborating with junior staff on discrete tasks under the guidance of senior technical staff.

Your focus will span four core areas: developing technical solutions, implementing and improving state-of-the-art data analysis pipelines, communicating findings through reports and presentations to project leaders and clients, and providing technical expertise to support business development activities.

Responsibilities

As a Data Scientist, the selected individual will design, develop, and implement advanced machine learning and data analysis solutions across a range of complex applied research projects. Responsibilities may include:

• Design, implement, test, and improve methodologies for solving complex statistical, machine learning, and deep learning problems with minimal supervision and within time and budget constraints

• Present research results to clients and participate in scientific conferences, peer review panels, and publications to increase Battelle's visibility

• Review literature to identify appropriate methods for solving statistical or machine learning/deep learning problems, implement those methods, and develop approaches to improve upon them

• Communicate regularly with project leaders, client stakeholders, and interdisciplinary technical teams including mathematicians, computer scientists, statisticians, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, biologists, chemists, and engineers

• Create technical reports and presentations describing results through tables, graphs, and software tools in a manner that is accessible to clients

• Support business development efforts by contributing technical material to proposals and assisting with planning technical budgets and schedules

• Build relationships with contacts across Battelle and with external clients across a range of disciplines

• Maintain excellent communication and collaborate with both co-located and geographically dispersed team members on a daily basis

• Plan and carry out appropriate professional self-development activities

• Occasionally travel domestically to client sites and conferences

• Perform other duties as assigned

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2 years of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree, OR a PhD in Statistics, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or Physics (data analysis focus preferred)

• Experience developing machine learning, predictive modeling, and AI (including NLP and generative AI) workflows

• Experience implementing, testing, and validating machine learning or deep learning models using modern analytical and programming tools

• Demonstrated expertise in manipulating and analyzing large datasets

• Programming experience in Python and/or R

• Strong algorithmic programming and data visualization skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Experience with Git and collaborative software development practices, including version control, code review, and documented development workflows.

• Strong analytical, multitasking, problem-solving, organizational, and planning skills

• Attention to detail, adaptability, and demonstrated ability to meet competing deadlines

• Applicants must be U.S. citizen with ability to obtain and maintain government security clearance and any clearances required by the client.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree preferred

• Experience with high-performance computing or cloud computing

• Experience with code optimization and debugging for implementing state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning algorithms

• Experience developing and integrating AI, machine learning, and natural language processing components into software systems

• Experience modeling complex biological systems and processes using statistical, machine learning, or computational methods, including analysis of genomic, proteomic, clinical, public health, or other scientific datasets.

• Experience working with or optimizing databases (SQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL)

• Experience with Docker, Conda, Apptainer/Singularity, or comparable technologies for creating reproducible analytical and machine-learning environments.

• Experience evaluating and comparing analytical or machine-learning methods using curated reference, benchmark, or validation datasets, including documenting performance, limitations, runtime, and computational resource requirements.

• Experience working with Battelle, a contract research organization (CRO), or through internships, research assistantships, or applied consulting projects demonstrating proficiency in data analysis and applied analytical methods

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $86,400 - $123,100 per year, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule : Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.

• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.

• Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.

• Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.

• Better together : Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.

• Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.

• Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects

• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery

• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment

• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders

• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers