Lead Data Scientist AI Research & Innovation

The Lead Data Scientist AI Research & Innovation joins TransUnion’s AI R&D organization, reporting to the Senior Manager, Data Science & Analytics. The team evaluates and advances AI capabilities for credit, fraud, insurance, marketing and other business applications. The role uses large-scale consumer, marketing, fraud and risk datasets to explore emerging techniques and their potential value for TransUnion’s products and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead exploratory research into emerging AI techniques, including neuro-symbolic and knowledge-enhanced AI, reasoning systems, agentic AI, causal AI, explainable AI and human-AI collaboration. Assess technology trends and their implications for products and services.
• Design, build and evaluate proofs of concept and prototypes using cloud-based computing and AI infrastructure. Develop repeatable frameworks to assess capabilities, limitations, risks and business impact.
• Work with engineering teams to move successful research concepts toward production-ready solutions. Contribute to the company’s innovation strategy through publications and patents.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cognitive Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Operations Research or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in AI, machine learning, advanced analytics or related quantitative fields.
• Strong foundation in one or more of classical AI; ontology-based knowledge representation; knowledge graphs and graph neural networks; automated reasoning; search and planning; causal inference and modeling; probabilistic graphical models; or explainable and trustworthy AI. Advanced Python programming skills and familiarity with modern AI development frameworks are required, as is familiarity with consumer data, fraud detection, financial services, risk analytics, identity or marketing applications.

Location and compensation:

• Hybrid in Chicago, Illinois, with at least two days per week in an assigned TransUnion office. The U.S. base salary range is $112,500–$187,500 annually; actual pay depends on qualifications, location and other factors. Eligible positions may receive an annual bonus or other incentives. Benefits include health coverage, retirement savings with an employer match, paid time off, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and wellness resources.