Data Scientist Intern - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

McKinsey & Company; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Continuous learning opportunities

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is looking for a Data Scientist Intern to contribute to analytics solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration. This internship lasts 8-12 weeks, where you will work closely with Data Scientists and Engineers to develop skills in data-driven decision-making and real-world applications of machine learning.

As an intern, you will engage with complex datasets, gain mentorship, and delve into a culture that values continuous learning and impactful contributions. Candidates should be pursuing an undergraduate degree with a solid grounding in Python and analytics.

Qualifications

• Experience in building Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems is a strong plus.
• Strong interest in applying machine learning to solve real-world problems.
• Good time management skills in a complex work environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytics solutions that help solve clients’ business challenges.
• Conduct exploratory data analyses and build simple models.
• Contribute to the team’s internal knowledge base and tool development.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical analysis

Python

Data wrangling

Data visualization

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Team-oriented mindset

Strong communication skills

Curiosity

Education

Undergraduate degree in progress

Tools

pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

Job description

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You’ve come to the right place.

Data Scientist Intern - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

Your impact

You will be part of interdisciplinary teams for 8-12 weeks, developing analytics solutions that help solve clients’ most pressing business challenges.

Working closely with experienced Data Scientists, Data Engineers, and Machine Learning Engineers, you will support project teams by conducting exploratory data analyses, building and validating simple models, implementing LLM use cases, helping clients to adopt GenAI, and developing RAG systems and visualizations that help uncover insights from complex datasets.

You’ll gain hands‑on experience applying analytical thinking to real‑world business contexts, learning how data‑driven insights can transform organizations. Through mentorship and structured feedback, you will deepen your understanding of how to translate business problems into technical tasks, and how analytical solutions create measurable client impact.

You’ll also contribute to the team’s internal knowledge base and tool development, learning how McKinsey and QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey approach data science at scale.

Your growth

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture – doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you’ll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions.
• Global community: You’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World‑class benefits: We provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

Your qualifications and skills

• Undergraduate degree in progress
• Experience through coursework or projects in building Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) systems or implementing Large Language Model (LLM) use cases is a strong plus
• Strong interest in applying machine learning and statistical analysis to solve real‑world problems
• Foundational experience in Python (preferred) or R for data analysis and model prototyping
• Basic understanding of data wrangling, visualization, and exploratory analysis
• Familiarity with libraries such as pandas, NumPy, scikit‑learn, or equivalent
• Good analytical and problem‑solving skills; ability to structure tasks and manage time effectively
• Curiosity and a growth mindset—comfortable asking questions and learning new tools quickly
• Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment
• Willingness to travel
• Team‑oriented mindset and eagerness to learn from others
• Strong communication skills in English, with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels. Knowledge of Dutch or French is desirable