Data Scientist Lead, Research - Material Discovery Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Data Scientist Lead at UL Research Institutes Material Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) in our Skokie, IL facilities.

The Data Scientist Lead will use advanced mathematical and statistical concepts and theories to collect and analyze data and construct solutions to complex research and stakeholder problems. The Data Scientist Lead will perform advanced statistical analysis on experimental or organizational data to identify, validate and quantify trends or patterns based on guidance from research leaders. Construct advanced predictive models, algorithms, and probability engines to support data analysis or material properties; verifies model and algorithm effectiveness based on real-world results. Design experiments and methodologies to generate and collect data for organizational use.

Materials Discovery Research Institute:

The Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) works to develop and deploy new materials with the potential to address current global safety challenges. Pursuing materials that will help produce transformational safety breakthroughs, MDRI harnesses the power of advanced computing and high-throughput experimental methods to create innovative materials that will produce resilience for a sustainable future and protect individual and societal health.

We focus on today's critical challenges, working to create new and better materials that will support renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Among our top priorities is research into materials capable of carbon capture and energy storage, with an eye toward reducing the adverse impacts of humanity's reliance upon fossil fuel resources and enabling a transition to renewable energy sources.

Above all, our research builds on our commitment to a safer, more sustainable future.

UL Research Institutes:

At UL Research Institutes, we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Office of Partnership team who facilitates the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Through all of our programs, we aim to unlock the diverse perspectives that are essential for solving the world's most pressing safety and sustainability issues.

What you'll learn and achieve:

As the Data Scientist Lead, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Lead a team of data scientists and researchers in designing and executing cutting-edge projects that utilize advanced data science methodologies for materials discovery.

• Develop and oversee advanced machine learning models, statistical algorithms, and data-driven approaches to generate insights and solutions from complex datasets

• Drive cross-functional collaboration with internal and external teams, including data engineers, software developers, and stakeholders, ensuring project objectives and deliverables are met.

• Design and implement end-to-end data pipelines, from data acquisition and preprocessing to model training, validation, and deployment.

• Conduct thorough and rigorous validation of models to ensure their accuracy, reliability, and robustness.

• Champion the integration of new data sources and emerging technologies to enhance analytics capabilities.

• Effectively communicate complex technical concepts, methodologies, and results to diverse audiences, including senior management, amplification partners, and data stakeholders.

• Stay up-to-date with the latest research and advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and contribute to the development of new methodologies and best practices.

• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of data governance and quality standards within the organization.

• Represent MDRI in scientific conferences, industry events, and through the publication of research papers, technical reports, and patents.

• Lead the implementation and maintenance of digital tools, including a lab notebook and database for chemical and material synthesis and characterization information.

• Assist research leaders with the definition and development of user-friendly reports and graphics that integrate and convey complex data/information.

• Contribute to and or lead institute or organization wide initiative.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes:

For the organizations across the UL enterprise, corporate and social responsibility isn't new. We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.

• People: Our people make us special. You'll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today's global challenges require.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what's on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You'll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.

• Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Advanced proficiency in programming languages (e.g. Python, R, SQL, Java)

• Advanced knowledge of machine learning, statistical modeling, and data visualization tools.

• Experience with big data technologies (e.g. AWS, Azure)

• Strong understanding of database systems and data engineering principles.

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects in a research or industrial setting.

• Exceptional project management skills, including planning, execution, and performance evaluation.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with the ability to adapt to new challenges and prioritize competing demands.

• Strong knowledge of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling techniques, and data mining methods with a track record of applying these techniques to solve complex problems.

• Ability to develop solutions to loosely defined research problems by leveraging pattern detection over large data sets

• Willingness to learn and research new concepts and technologies in quick Proof of Concepts

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with technical and non-technical internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to organize, analyze, and correlate data information including skills in dashboarding.

• Skilled in versioning best practices, i.e. GitHub, Gitlab, Code Commit.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Masters Degree or equivalent in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology or a related discipline.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in statistical analysis or data science.

• Solid technical knowledge and experience working with R, SAS, Java or Python programming language.

• Prior experience working with materials scientists and/or developing data architecture in academic or industrial environments is highly desirable.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Solutions, advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Solutions, which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.