Research Director, Data Science

Salary Range: Starting at $175,000, commensurate with education & experience
Schedule: Full-time
Location: Omaha, Nebraska (Primary work locations: Offutt AFB and Scott Technology Center)
Supervisor: Associate Executive Director, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Programs

Position Summary

The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) is seeking a Research Director, Data Science to provide scientific and organizational leadership for Data Science, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), advanced analytics, modeling, simulation, and scientific computing supporting USSTRATCOM and national security mission requirements.

The Research Director establishes Data Science research direction within the Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Programs (SDNP) directorate and provides leadership across related research programs, projects, personnel, and capabilities. The position is accountable for the scientific quality, integration, and Data Science outcomes across multiple concurrent efforts and serves as the organizational leader for Data Science personnel.

The Research Director works with Research Directors, Principal Investigators, Project Managers, and other technical leaders to align Data Science personnel and expertise with mission requirements while maintaining responsibility for Data Science workforce development, scientific standards, and technical leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Scientific Direction

• Establish and advance Data Science, AI/ML, advanced analytics, modeling, and scientific computing research direction aligned with SDNP and sponsor priorities.
• Provide scientific and organizational leadership for Data Science personnel supporting research programs and projects.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, coach, and evaluate Data Science staff in coordination with SDNP leadership and Human Resources.
• Establish Data Science staffing priorities and align or rebalance technical expertise across concurrent research efforts.
• Establish expectations for scientific quality, technical rigor, reproducibility, and professional practice.

Research and Technical Leadership

• Provide scientific direction and technical oversight for advanced AI/ML, analytics, mathematical modeling, simulation, and computational research.
• Translate complex national security mission requirements into rigorous, testable analytical and computational approaches.
• Provide technical leadership across Data Science-supported programs and projects and help resolve cross-effort technical, capability, and resource issues.
• Lead the application of advanced Data Science methods to wargaming, operational research, mission analysis, and simulation.
• Oversee appropriate testing, verification, validation, and evaluation of Data Science systems, models, and ML pipelines.

Research Growth and Collaboration

• Identify and shape research opportunities aligned with NSRI Data Science capabilities and sponsor needs.
• Provide scientific leadership for technical capture, white papers, proposals, and collaborative research opportunities.
• Collaborate with University of Nebraska researchers, federal sponsors, mission partners, and other technical stakeholders.
• Communicate complex scientific approaches, findings, and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior military and government leaders.
• Mentor scientists, technical leads, researchers, and students and support development of future scientific leaders.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other research, leadership, and organizational duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in advanced quantitative research, Data Science, AI/ML, modeling, simulation, scientific computing, or related technical work.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex research efforts and scientific or technical personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to establish scientific direction and ensure technical quality across multiple concurrent research efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate technical work across teams and balance competing staffing, technical, or resource requirements.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this position because the duties require eligibility for a U.S. Government personnel security clearance. Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance and Sponsor accesses.

Desired Qualifications

• PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Deep technical expertise in AI/ML, advanced analytics, modeling, simulation, optimization, or scientific computing.
• Understanding of USSTRATCOM mission areas, including strategic deterrence, NC3, JEMSO, global strike, missile defense, or related national security missions.
• Experience leading technical personnel supporting multiple programs or project teams.
• Demonstrated success developing technical proposals, research opportunities, or federally funded research.
• Experience with wargaming, operational research, mission analysis, or predictive simulation.
• Experience within a UARC, FFRDC, university, national laboratory, or comparable research organization.
• Experience conducting classified research; active TS/SCI strongly preferred.
• Strong technical communication and senior stakeholder engagement skills.

Benefits

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Voluntary life insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Long-term disability
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Matching
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays