Data Science Intern

Cimgroup; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

CIM Group in Los Angeles, CA is offering a Data Science Intern position at the intersection of business, economics, and data science. You will contribute to real-world projects within the Enterprise Data Management team, support GenAI and LLM use cases, and work with a modern Databricks Lakehouse environment to analyze financial and operational data.

You will partner with ML engineers, data stewards, and platform teams to build models, validate results, and produce narratives and visualizations

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Economics, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Finance, or related quantitative field.
• Strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and econometrics.
• Programming in Python (or R) with Pandas/NumPy/scikit-learn.
• Demonstrated quantitative ability via coursework, research, hackathons, or projects.
• Interest in generative AI and GenAI with a desire to learn modern models.

Responsibilities

• Analyze real datasets end-to-end, framing questions and surfacing insights to inform investment decisions.
• Translate quantitative findings into narratives, visuals, and recommendations for stakeholders.
• Support development and iteration of statistical, econometric, and ML models from feature engineering to validation.
• Prototype GenAI/LLM applications to make data exploration and action easier.
• Collaborate with MLOps, Platform Engineering, and Data Stewards to move prototypes toward production.

Skills

Python

Pandas

NumPy

Statistics

Data Visualization

Communication

Education

Bachelor's/master's degree

Quantitative field

Tools

Databricks

scikit-learn

SQL

Git

Job description

ABOUT CIM GROUP:

CIM is a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender, and developer. Our team of experts works together to identify and create value in real assets, benefiting the communities in which we invest. Back in 1994, our three founders focused on projects in Southern California neighborhoods. Today, we are a diverse team of 900+ employees with projects across the Americas. Our projects have delivered jobs; created comfortable places to live, work, and relax; and provided necessary and sustainable infrastructure. Our focus on enhancing communities is unwavering, and we strive to make an even greater impact in the years to come. Join us and make an impact today!

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Data Science Intern will contribute to real-world projects at the intersection of business, economics, and data science. As part of the Enterprise Data Management team, the intern will support efforts to develop machine learning models, explore Generative AI (GenAI) and large language model (LLM) use cases, and analyze financial and operational data to help inform business decisions. Working alongside our Machine Learning Ops (+GenAI) Engineer, Platform Engineering team, and Data Stewards, the intern will gain hands-on experience with a modern Databricks Lakehouse environment and learn how analytics and AI solutions are developed, tested, and deployed in an enterprise setting. This internship offers a unique opportunity to stretch beyond the classroom, applying technical skills to real-world challenges, while learning from experienced professionals in a leading investment management firm.

• Contribute to the end-to-end analysis of real datasets—framing the question, applying statistical, econometric, and economic reasoning, and surfacing insights that help inform investment and operational decisions.
• Translate quantitative findings into compelling narratives, visualizations, and recommendations to help influence how the team and business stakeholders take action.
• Support the development and iteration of statistical, econometric, and machine learning models across the full workflow—from feature engineering to validation, with mentorship from senior engineers and business SMEs.
• Prototype GenAI and large language model (LLM) applications—such as retrieval-augmented and agentic workflows—that make firm data easier to explore, analyze, and act on.
• Partner with our MLOps (GenAI) Engineer to move promising prototypes toward production, learning how models are deployed, monitored, evaluated, and scaled.
• Research emerging techniques in machine learning, generative AI, and applied econometrics; run structured experiments and causal analyses; and present findings and recommendations to the team.
• Work with the Platform Engineering team to build, query, and analyze data on our modern Lakehouse platform, gaining hands-on exposure to production data infrastructure.
• Partner with Data Stewards to understand data lineage, definitions, and quality, and apply responsible, well-governed data practices in your work.
• Contribute to data quality and model evaluation—building test cases, scoring model and LLM outputs, and helping ensure analyses rest on reliable data.
• Learn and apply best practices for data privacy, security, and responsible AI, operating within the firm's compliance and governance framework.
• Collaborate across Data Science, MLOps (GenAI) Engineering, Platform Engineering, Data Stewardship, and business teams to help scope ambiguous problems and deliver measurable results.

Required

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Economics, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Finance, or a related quantitative field—including combined programs such as Economics & Data Science.
• Strong academic (and/or extracurricular or relevant internship) foundation in mathematics, statistics, and econometrics, such as probability, linear algebra, regression, causal inference, and hypothesis testing.
• Programming ability in Python (or R), with familiarity with data libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, or scikit-learn.
• Demonstrated quantitative ability through coursework, research, hackathons, competitions (e.g., Kaggle), or personal projects in data, analytics, or AI.
• Exposure to applied machine learning or data mining through coursework or projects, and genuine interest in generative AI, with a drive to learn how modern models are built, evaluated, and applied to real business and investment problems.

Preferred

• Prior internships or hands-on projects involving machine learning or GenAI.
• Familiarity with data management concepts and SQL (or a strong aptitude and eagerness to learn them quickly).

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to bridge technical teams and business stakeholders and explain complex ideas clearly, in both written and verbal form.
• A collaborative mindset and eagerness to work with people across different teams.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with intellectual curiosity, high standards, and a proactive, self-directed approach to ambiguous problems.
• A passion for data as a tool to inform and drive real-world, business value.

Actual base salary considers several factors including but not limited to geography, job-related knowledge, experience, and budget. The role is considered non-exempt so will be eligible for overtime pay in accordance with federal and state law. The anticipated base pay for the position in Los Angeles, CA is $20 per hour.

HOW WE FEEL ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

At CIM Group, we believe that the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our employees enhance everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is not only respected but celebrated. We strive to ensure that our workplace is free from discrimination and harassment, allowing everyone to contribute meaningfully and feel a sense of belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we strictly prohibit any form of unlawful discrimination and adhere to the laws enforced by the EEOC. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where all employees can grow and make impactful contributions together.

*Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on CIM Group.

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CIM does not accept unsolicited resumes from Agencies. Any unsolicited resumes received from Agencies will be considered property of CIM and no fees will be due or paid. If you wish to become an approved Agency with CIM or any of its Affiliates, please contact a member of the CIM Talent Acquisition Team.