Senior Research Scientist, Information Science (Extended Temporary) (Remote Work Available)

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Arizona invites applications for Senior Research Scientist, Information Science (Extended Temporary). This remote-eligible role leads AI/NLP research pipelines, designs scalable experiments, and maintains robust codebases in Python.

The position emphasizes methodological rigor and collaboration with students and external partners. The role requires a PhD and at least eight years of relevant experience, with opportunities for conference publication and open research dissemination.

Qualifications

• PhD in a related discipline is required.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent education/experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in AI/NLP research methods and experimental design.
• Experience developing substantial research software systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and evaluation of AI/NLP systems for scientific feasibility assessment.
• Architect and maintain high-quality research codebases in Python and related tools.
• Design empirical analyses of model behavior and experimental outcomes at scale.
• Lead and co-author conference/journal papers and present findings at conferences.
• Coordinate with collaborators within and outside the university for joint experiments.

Skills

Python programming

AI/NLP methods

Linux

Git

Docker

Research ification

Experimentation

Strong communication

Education

PhD in related discipline

Tools

Python ecosystem

High-performance computing

Job description

Senior Research Scientist, Information Science (Extended Temporary) (Remote Work Available)

Senior Research Scientist, Information Science (Extended Temporary) (Remote Work Available)

Posting Number req26830

Department Information Science

Department Website Link https://infosci.arizona.edu/

Location To Be Determined

Address USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's College of Information Science invites you to apply to the role of Senior Research Scientist (Research Scientist IV).

As a Senior Research Scientist, you will provide high-level scientific and technical leadership, oversee the design and implementation of experimental pipelines, maintain robust research codebases, and ensure methodological rigor across large-scale empirical studies. This position works closely with internal teams, student researchers, and external collaborators to advance research strategies and develop new methodological directions.

This is a grant-funded project with a time-sensitive timeline. The position is anticipated to start by no later than the end of September 2026. The final candidate determination will take into consideration the candidate’s availability to start in alignment with the project timeline.

Candidates working anywhere in the U.S. may be considered for a remote assignment. If you are selected for this position and are employed to work remotely from outside of Arizona, your overtime exemption status will depend on the laws of the state where you perform your work. For employees working outside of Arizona, you may be hired as an hourly employee in accordance with state laws. A comparable hourly rate range would be: $36.32 - $47.22. These changes would not affect the position duties as outlined.

This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position.

The University of Arizona College of Information Science focuses on the intersection of people, data, and technology, offering innovative programs in information science, data science, cybersecurity, game design, and immersive technologies. Established in 2023 and expanded in 2025, the college provides STEM-designated undergraduate and master’s degrees, and a PhD. in Information. With nationally ranked programs such as the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, #4 Best Master’s in Data Science, and #10 Global Ranking of Library an Information Science Programs, we emphasize computational thinking, ethical reasoning, and multicultural communication while driving research and partnerships such as Arizona Cybersecurity Academy, AI Core, Gaming and Virtual Worlds, Human -Centered Computing, and many other areas of research.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocation services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI/NLP systems for scientific feasibility assessment; develop and test integrated pipelines combining literature-based discovery, structured knowledge extraction, simulation, and code-based experimentation; run experiments and benchmarking at scale.
• Architect and maintain high-quality research codebases in Python and related tools; implement automated experimentation frameworks, simulation integrations, and evaluation infrastructure; ensure reproducible artifacts, logging, and documentation for large-scale empirical studies.
• Design and execute systematic empirical analyses of model behavior and experimental outcomes; analyze large-scale datasets, intermediate outputs, and logs to diagnose system performance, refine methods, and ensure research rigor.
• Design and execute user studies of human scientific feasibility assessment.
• Lead and co-author conference and journal papers for top-tier AI/NLP and machine learning venues; prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication; create clear technical presentations and present findings at national and international conferences.
• Develop research directions, experimental methodology, and project roadmaps; assist with preparation of technical reports, and research documentation as needed.
• Drive collaboration, manage relationships, and provide technical guidance to student researchers where appropriate.
• Contribute to a collegial, respectful, and collaborative research environment through professional and constructive communication.
• Coordinate with collaborators within and outside the University as needed for joint experiments, data integration, and research dissemination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional programming ability, particularly in Python, and strong software engineering practices.
• Demonstrated ability to design and maintain substantial research codebases.
• Strong knowledge of AI/NLP research methods, including experimental design, evaluation, and benchmarking.
• Knowledge of user studies, IRB protocols, human subjects research.
• Strong demonstrated ability at hands‑on empirical research, including extensive interaction with generating and analyzing large volumes of data, intermediate representations, and experimental outputs.
• Familiarity with Linux‑based research environments, Git, containerization (e.g. Docker), and reproducible workflows.
• Ability to work independently in a research‑driven, small‑lab setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in a related discipline required.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field.
• Record of publications in top‑tier AI/NLP or HCI venues.
• Demonstrated experience developing substantial research software systems.
• Experience in AI for science, literature‑based discovery, or scientific knowledge extraction.
• Experience building or modifying AI agents, tool‑using models, or code generation systems.
• Experience with high‑performance computing environments.
• Experience releasing open‑source projects.
• Experience executing large user‑studies with human participants.
• Experience studying code generation systems (e.g. Claude Code, Open AI Codex, etc.)

FLSA Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Research

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $75,540 - $98,201

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full‑time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 10

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represents a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

The grade range for this position is $75,540 - $120,863. Each unit typically sets starting pay between the minimum and midpoint upon hire as reflected in the Rate of Pay field above.

Career Stream and Level PC4

Job Family Researchers & Scientists

Job Function Research

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non‑security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date 9/14/2026

Expected End Date 7/30/2027

Contact Information for Candidates Peter Jansen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, College of Information Science
[e-mail]

Open Date 8/19/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].