Senior Data Scientist - Scientific AI

McKinsey & Company; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 179,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Medical, mental health, dental, and vi

Telemedicine services

Life, accident and disability保险

Parental leave and family planning

Retirement contributions program

Paid time off

Job summary

McKinsey & Company seeks a Senior Data Scientist in North America to build AI/ML models, drive analytics and deliver insights for life sciences clients. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, translate complex analytics for executives, and contribute to a growing scientific AI program across therapies and materials.

The role offers opportunities for growth, mentorship, and exposure to a global community, with a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 5+ years or PhD with 2+ years in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or equivalent research experience.
• Machine learning experience with causality, Bayesian statistics & optimization, survival analysis, design of experiments, longitudinal analysis, surrogate models, transformers, Knowledge Graphs, Graph NNs, Deep Learning, computer vision.
• Strong programming experience in Python (R, C++ optional) and libraries (pandas, numpy, matplotlib, scikit‑learn, statsmodels, pymc, pytorch/tf/keras, langchain).
• Proven experience applying machine learning techniques to solve business problems.
• Experience with version control (GitHub).
• Ability to write production code and object‑oriented programming.
• Proven track record of end‑to‑end ownership of independent workstreams.
• Good presentation and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analytics concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Proven experience advising external parties and/or functions.
• Exceptional time management to meet responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop new internal knowledge, build AI/ML models & pipelines, support client discussions, prototype development, and deploy with client delivery teams.
• Bring distinctive statistical, ML, and AI competency to complex client problems and help build McKinsey's scientific AI offering.
• Create and disseminate cutting‑edge knowledge and proprietary assets, work in a multi‑disciplinary team, and build the firm's reputation in this area.
• Ensure statistical validity of analytics, ML models, and translate results for senior stakeholders.
• Write optimized code to advance our Data Science Toolbox and codify analytical methodologies for future deployment.
• Work in North America offices within the Life Sciences practice as part of McKinsey's global scientific AI team.
• Collaborate with AI teams on R&D topics in a startup‑like environment as a Senior Data Scientist in development/delivery.
• Support the data science manager in developing a roadmap of assets across cell‑level initiatives delivering capabilities and insights.
• Flexibility to hire at Senior Data Scientist I or II level depending on experience.

Skills

Statistics/ML competency

Python programming

Production code

OO programming

End-to-end ownership

Git / GitHub

Communication

Time management

External advisory experience

Explain analytics to non-technical

Education

Master's degree + 5+ years

PhD + 2+ years

Tools

Python

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

PyTorch

TensorFlow

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.

Locations

• Boston
• Chicago
• New Jersey
• New York City
• Raleigh
• San Francisco
• Silicon Valley
• Southern California

Responsibilities

• Develop new internal knowledge, build AI and machine learning models & pipelines, support client discussions, prototype development, and deploy directly with client delivery teams.
• Bring distinctive statistical, machine learning, and AI competency to complex client problems and help build and shape McKinsey's scientific AI offering.
• Create and disseminate cutting‑edge knowledge and proprietary assets, work in a multi‑disciplinary team, and build the firm's reputation in the area of expertise.
• Ensure statistical validity of analytics, AI/ML models, and translate results for senior stakeholders.
• Write optimized code to advance our Data Science Toolbox and codify analytical methodologies for future deployment.
• Work in one of our offices in North America within the Life Sciences practice as part of McKinsey's global scientific AI team, helping answer industry questions related to AI use in therapeutics, chemicals & materials, including small molecules, proteins, mRNA, polymers, etc.
• Collaborate with cutting‑edge AI teams on research and development topics in a start‑up‑like environment, serving as a Senior Data Scientist in a technology development and delivery capacity.
• Support the manager of data science in developing a data science and analytics roadmap of assets across cell‑level initiatives, delivering distinctive capabilities, models, and insights through work with client teams and clients.
• Flexibility to hire at the Senior Data Scientist I or II level, depending on experience.

Growth

• Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work; you thrive 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 provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible.
• Colleagues at all levels invest deeply in your development and in delivering exceptional results for clients, giving you apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that accelerate your growth in ways you won't find elsewhere.
• When you join us, you will have:
  • Continuous learning: Learning and apprenticeship culture with structured programs focused on feedback and development.
  • A voice that matters: Opportunity to make tangible impact with innovative ideas and practical solutions.
  • Global community: Collaboration with colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 nationalities.
  • World‑class benefits: Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package for holistic well‑being.

Qualifications and Skills

• Master's degree with 5+ years or PhD degree with 2+ years of relevant experience in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or equivalent research experience.
• Machine learning experience with causality, Bayesian statistics & optimization, survival analysis, design of experiments, longitudinal analysis, surrogate models, transformers, Knowledge Graphs, Agents, Graph NNs, Deep Learning, computer vision.
• Strong programming experience in Python (R, C++ optional) and relevant analytics libraries (pandas, numpy, matplotlib, scikit‑learn, statsmodels, pymc, pytorch/tf/keras, langchain).
• Proven experience applying machine learning techniques to solve business problems.
• Experience with version control (GitHub).
• Ability to write production code and object‑oriented programming.
• Proven track record of end‑to‑end ownership of independent workstreams.
• Good presentation and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analytics concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Proven experience advising external parties and/or functions.
• Exceptional time management to meet responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment.

Additional Requirements

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

Industries

• High Tech
• Life Sciences

Capabilities

• Technology

EEO Statement

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain U.S. jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $176,000 - $179,500 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest salary for this role at the time of posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it is important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors such as office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental, and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.