Principal Applied Data Scientist - AI for Good Lab

The AI for Good Lab is hiring a Principal Applied Data Scientist to join our team in Redmond todesign, build, and deliver AI-driven solutionsto address complex, interconnected societal challenges.

OurLabspans a broad and evolving portfolio, fromunderstanding how AI is diffusing across the world and its economic opportunities,topoweringdisaster response andresilience,as well asadvancing 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.

In this role, you will use AI and data science to research and build solutions that inform and drive real-world decisions, working in close partnership withotherdata scientists, researchers, and research organizations, as well as policymakers and practitioners

You will provide senior technical leadership for applied AI and data science initiatives, defining technical direction for advancedAIsystems acrosshumanitarian response, biodiversity,sustainability, public policy, and global development with deep application of data science, cloud platforms, and economics. As a trusted advisor, you will partner with leaders across Microsoft, academia, nonprofits, and government to guide responsible, evidence-based AI solutionsto turn insights intoimpact.

You bring a strong appetite for learning new domains and technologies, paired with agile decision-making, flexibility in how you work, and a growth mindset. You contribute to a positive, inclusiveteamculture through clear documentation, ethical research practices, and active knowledge sharing as you navigate complex, evolving challenges.

• 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 theAI for Good Labresearch agendaby authoringtechnical papers and presentation, publishedbothinternallyand 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.

Minimum/Required Qualifications:

• 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 Qualifications:

• Deep foundation in AI, machine learning, statistics, or related quantitative methods applied to real-world problems.

• Experience working end-to-end withdata-fromsourcing and exploration through modeling, interpretation, and communication.

• Proficiencyin at least one scientific programming language (Python,Ror equivalent languages) and experience with SQL or similar query languages

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, withdemonstratedexperience 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 toadoptquickly to dynamic business conditions.