Applied AI Data Scientist

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is advancing applied artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver measurable impact across the health system. This role is part of the Mission Control vision, which unifies real‑time data and AI‑driven decision support for system‑wide insight and action. The focus is on leveraging predictive, generative, and hybrid models to improve access, quality, safety, and patient experience.

Position and Team

The Data Scientist will work in the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Center for Health Innovation (JCHI) within UC San Diego Health Information Services. The role involves the full AI model lifecycle—intake, data preparation, model development, evaluation, deployment, and post‑deployment monitoring. You will partner with cloud engineers, product managers, AI engineers, and enterprise platform teams, reporting to the JCHI Co‑Director.

What We're Looking For

Experience with the entire AI model lifecycle in healthcare or complex enterprise settings. Familiarity with Epic/EHR data, large language models, and cloud‑based platforms (AWS) is preferred. Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and ML frameworks, plus solid model evaluation and optimization skills. Strong communication and ability to translate clinical questions into data science problems and deliver AI solutions that create value across the health system.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Seven (7) years of related experience, or a Bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of experience in data science, computational science, or a related quantitative discipline.

• Intermediate knowledge of high‑performance computing (HPC) or data science infrastructure.

• Advanced skills and experience with HPC hardware/software, performance analysis, and deployment of HPC or data science applications.

• Strong management and communication skills, with experience presenting to technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Experience contributing technical content to grant proposals and collaborating with all staff levels.

• Ability to resolve broad computing or data challenges independently and meet deadlines.

• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and translate research computing needs into functional solutions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Foundational data science skills across the AI model lifecycle.

• Experience managing individual workstreams within larger projects, with documentation and stakeholder communication.

• Proficiency in cloud‑based data science environments (AWS), including model training, experiment tracking, and deployment workflows.

• Experience with traditional ML, large language models, or hybrid AI approaches.

• Knowledge of healthcare EHR data (e.g., Epic) and ability to extract, clean, and analyze clinical datasets.

• Familiarity with population health, clinical operations, and care coordination.

• Experience with causal inference, experimental design, or decision‑focused modeling for real‑world interventions.

• Strong collaboration across data engineering, clinical, operational, and technical stakeholders.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Willingness to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

• Employment subject to a criminal background check and pre‑employment physical.

Compensation

Annual full pay range: $97,200 – $182,000 (proportional for part‑time). Hourly equivalent: $46.55 – $87.16.

EEO Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.