About the job
The AI for Good Lab is hiring a Principal Applied Data Scientist to join our team in Redmond to design, build, and deliver AI-driven solutions to address complex, interconnected societal challenges. Our Lab spans a broad and evolving portfolio, from understanding how AI is diffusing across the world and its economic opportunities, to powering disaster response and resilience, as well as advancing sustainability and cybersecurity. These challenges are inherently ambiguous and interdisciplinary, demanding creativity, strong research instincts, and the ability to move decisively from uncertainty to insight and action. We are an agile, fast-moving applied research team that uses modern AI as a force multiplier, accelerating discovery, sharpening insight, and driving decisions that matter. We continuously pivot toward where our work can create the greatest impact now.
Responsibilities
Lead and develop applied AI solutions (LLMs, Agents, Computer Vision) and data science solutions by identifying and gathering data, shaping problem formulations, applying AI, machine learning, and statistical methods, and generating insight with real-world impact.
Use AI creatively as a research and solution-building tool, combining quantitative methods, experimentation, and domain knowledge to surface patterns, test ideas, and inform decisions.
Rapidly prototype and validate approaches using modeling, statistics and experimentation; select methods under real-world constraints (cost/latency, safety, privacy, maintainability).
Design and build reliable, maintainable, end-to-end systems spanning data pipelines, model lifecycle, evaluation/telemetry, deployment, and operations.
Advance the AI for Good Lab research agenda by authoring technical papers and presentation, published both internally and externally.
Work in close partnership with other researchers and research organizations, as well as policy, industry, and nonprofit stakeholders, to co-create solutions
Present findings with clear and compelling narratives, using impactful visualizations and storytelling to articulate insights that drive understanding and action.
Lead through influence by shaping technical direction and standards (model evaluation, responsible AI, safety/privacy, and monitoring), aligning collaborators, navigating tradeoffs, and sustaining momentum across teams and institutions.
Qualifications
Minimum
Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR equivalent experience.
Preferred
Deep foundation in AI, machine learning, statistics, or related quantitative methods applied to real-world problems. Experience working end-to-end with data-from sourcing and exploration through modeling, interpretation, and communication.
Proficiency in at least one scientific programming language (Python, R or equivalent languages) and experience with SQL or similar query languages
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience communicating complex ideas clearly and persuasively to non-technical audiences.
Proven ability to influence outcomes and lead work in cross-functional, matrixed environments.
Experience collaborating with academic institutions, NGOs, humanitarian organization, or public sector partners.
Background or demonstrated interest in domains such as economics, sustainability, humanitarian response, cybersecurity, public policy, or social impact.
Growth mindset to learn new areas and ability to adopt quickly to dynamic business conditions.