Geospatial Data Scientist for Catastrophe Risk & Insights

Understory; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Understory is seeking a Data Scientist to advance geospatial data, machine learning, and real-world risk insights for insurance products. You’ll work with sensor data, risk models, and a fast-moving engineering stack to deliver actionable analyses for underwriters and partners.

Responsibilities span modeling, mapping, and data wrangling, along with building internal tools and reports. Candidates should be adept at translating complex results into business impact and collaborating across teams.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in data science, catastrophe modeling, or GIS analytics (insurance domain experience is a plus).
• Strong Python skills, including libraries like GeoPandas, xarray, rasterio, scikit-learn, NumPy, and pandas.
• Comfort working with large geospatial and time series datasets (e.g., flood zones, wind swaths, storm tracks).
• Understanding of machine learning concepts with ability to apply to insurance exposures, claims, or geospatial problems.
• Generalist mindset—comfortable navigating between data engineering, modeling, and product thinking.
• Strong communication skills, especially translating technical results into business insights.
• Use of modern tools including AI as accelerators, with independent validation and reproducibility.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and transform geospatial and time series data using Python-based pipelines.
• Build and support catastrophe model components, including hazard, vulnerability, and exposure layers.
• Conduct post-storm data analyses and collaborate with external stakeholders to deliver actionable insights.
• Create internal tools and reports that make complex datasets usable for business stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineers and product teams to deliver insights that move the business forward.

Skills

Python

GeoPandas

xarray

rasterio

scikit-learn

NumPy

pandas

Geospatial analytics

Machine learning concepts

Communication

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Cassandra

S3

Job description

Understory is seeking a Data Scientist to advance geospatial data, machine learning, and real-world risk insights for insurance products. You’ll work with sensor data, risk models, and a fast-moving engineering stack to deliver actionable analyses for underwriters and partners.

Responsibilities span modeling, mapping, and data wrangling, along with building internal tools and reports. Candidates should be adept at translating complex results into business impact and collaborating across teams.