Lead Data Scientist

Socket.dev; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Children's Hospital seeks a Data Scientist to lead the design, development, and deployment of analytics, ML, and AI solutions using one of the nation's largest pediatric datasets. You will partner with clinicians, operators, and technologists to drive data-driven innovation that improves patient outcomes and hospital operations.

You will own end-to-end data science initiatives from problem definition to deployment and monitoring, translate insights into executive-ready narratives, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, engineering, analytics, life sciences, economics, finance, business or healthcare field.
• Ph.D. preferred.
• 5 years' experience in data science, analytics, modeling or ML, including 2 years in healthcare.

Responsibilities

• Analyze large, complex datasets to uncover patterns and drive data-informed decisions.
• Lead data quality standards and data preparation including profiling and cleansing.
• Design, validate, and optimize ML/AI models (regression, classification, NLP, deep learning, generative AI).
• Lead analytics solutions with clinicians and stakeholders for scalable outcomes.
• Architect and operationalize predictive models addressing clinical and operational challenges.
• Own end-to-end data science initiatives from problem definition to deployment and monitoring.
• Translate insights into executive narratives and compelling visuals.

Skills

Advanced analytics

Machine learning

AI solutions

Data storytelling

Education

Master's degree in data science or related field

PhD preferred

Job description

We're seeking a Data Scientist who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. In this role, you will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions using one of the nation's largest pediatric healthcare datasets. Partnering with clinical, operational, and technical leaders, you will drive data-driven innovation that improves patient outcomes, enhances hospital operations, and advances Texas Children's mission to create healthier futures for children worldwide.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Analyze large, complex, and noisy structured and unstructured datasets to uncover meaningful patterns, generate actionable insights, and drive data-informed decision-making.
• Establish data quality standards and lead data preparation efforts, including profiling, validation, cleansing, and feature engineering activities.
• Design, develop, validate, and optimize advanced statistical, optimization, machine learning, and AI models, including regression, classification, clustering, natural language processing, deep learning, and generative AI applications.
• Analyze large, complex, and noisy structured and unstructured datasets to uncover meaningful patterns, generate actionable insights, and drive data-informed decision-making.
• Lead the development of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics solutions, partnering with data architects, engineers, clinicians, and business stakeholders to ensure scalable and impactful outcomes.
• Architect and operationalize predictive models and advanced analytical solutions that address critical clinical, operational, and strategic business challenges.
• Provide end-to-end ownership of data science initiatives, from problem definition and stakeholder alignment through model deployment, monitoring, maintenance, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with clinical, operational, and executive stakeholders to identify opportunities where data science, AI, and machine learning can improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and organizational performance.
• Translate complex analytical findings into compelling narratives and executive-level presentations that drive understanding, alignment, and action among non-technical audiences.
• Develop intuitive and impactful visualizations that effectively communicate complex relationships, trends, and insights to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, providing statistical, analytical, and AI guidance to project teams, leadership, architects, and developers.
• Apply domain expertise to guide analytical approaches, feature selection, model design, and evaluation strategies while ensuring alignment with business and clinical objectives.
• Mentor and coach data scientists and analysts, promoting best practices in model development, experimentation, reproducibility, and responsible AI.
• Lead model governance activities, including performance monitoring, drift detection, validation, explainability, and compliance with organizational AI policies and standards.
• Estimate effort, manage priorities, communicate project status, and proactively identify and mitigate risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Champion Agile practices and contributes to strategic planning, iteration execution, backlog refinement, retrospectives, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate and incorporate emerging technologies, advanced analytics techniques, and AI innovations to enhance organizational capabilities and accelerate value delivery.

Skills & Requirements:

• Master's degree in data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, engineering, analytics, life sciences, economics, finance, business or a specific healthcare field (such as nursing, pharmacy, respiratory, etc.) required
• Ph.D. preferred
• 5 years' experience in data science, data analytics, business analysis, data modeling, statistical analysis, statistical modeling, or machine learning, including 2 years healthcare industry experience required
• A PhD may substitute for two years of experience.
• Two years of licensed, clinical healthcare experience may substitute for 2 years of experience

Since 1954, Texas Children's has been leading the charge in patient care, education and research to accelerate health care for children and women around the world. When you love what you do, it truly shows in the smiles of our patient families, employees and our numerous accolades such as being consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report as well as recognition from Houston Business Journal as one of this city's Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years.

Texas Children's comprehensive health care network includes our primary hospital in the Texas Medical Center with expertise in over 40 pediatric subspecialties; the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI); the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children's care for communities north of Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin and Central Texas families. We have also created Texas Children's Health Plan, the nation's first HMO focused on children; Texas Children's Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children's Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the largest, most diverse and successful pediatric programs in the nation.

To join our community of 15,000+ dedicated team members, visit texaschildrenspeople.org for career opportunities.

Texas Children's is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions at Texas Children's without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.