Project Data Scientist, Community Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Position Overview

Application Deadline: June 19, 2026

Salary: $66,972 to $72,013 annually, based on experience, plus benefits

Education Required: Master degree (Ph.D. or Master with strong data science experience)

Experience Required: At least 2 years

Description

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County is hiring a Project Data Scientist for the Community Science department, an on-site full-time role with annual salary of $66,972 to $72,013 and an application deadline of June 19, 2026.

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and the La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. NHMLAC stewards more than 35 million natural and cultural objects and operates under a collective vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for the natural and cultural worlds.

The Project Data Scientist sits within Research and Collections, Community Science. The role leads data management, analysis, and community-centered data practices across applied, interdisciplinary research projects on human-wildlife interactions, biodiversity monitoring, One Health, and environmental justice; cultivates relationships with community partners and community scientists; and disseminates findings through peer-reviewed publications and public-facing outreach.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain data systems, workflows, and documentation across Community Science projects (~30%).

• Clean, integrate, and analyze datasets on ecology, human-wildlife interactions, community science, and environmental justice (~25%).

• Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and research outputs (~15%).

• Collaborate with community partners on data governance, access, and sovereignty; create dashboards, summaries, and highlights for partners (~10%).

• Support creation, revision, streamlining, and improvement of Community Science research projects (~10%).

• Create data visualizations for scientific and community audiences (~5%).

• Develop and write novel grant and external funding proposals under the supervision of the Assistant Curator of Community Science (~5%).

• Support training, mentorship, and capacity-building within the team and community, including mentoring graduate and post-baccalaureate students on relevant projects (~5%).

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant field, or a Master degree with strong, proven data science experience. Examples of relevant fields include environmental science, environmental justice, ecology, conservation science, environmental education, biology, and environmental policy.

• Record of publishing peer-reviewed papers.

• Expertise in data management and analysis, including GIS analyses or other ecological analyses.

• Proficiency in R, Python, or similar tools.

• At least 2 years of experience working with community members, including mentoring students.

• Led at least one research project from start to finish (peer-reviewed publication or completed thesis) in a relevant field.

• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.

• Excellent collaboration and project management skills, including with networks of diverse collaborators and participants.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with community-engaged research.

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Additional Notes

• Full-time, exempt; primarily on-site at the museum.

• Anticipated start date: between May 19, 2026 and August 1, 2026.

• NHMLAC is a nonprofit committed to a workplace that uplifts kindness, fairness, openness, and dignity.

How to Apply

Apply online through the NHMLAC careers portal by June 19, 2026. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Required application materials:

• Cover letter.

• Current resume.

• List of three to four references.

Direct questions to Christine Wilkinson at cwilkinson@nhm.org.