Job Description

We’re seeking a Data Scientist with a strong research mindset to help shape the future of agentic AI systems. This role blends deep analytical thinking with fast-paced experimentation and model development, where your insights will directly inform how AI agents reason, plan, and act in dynamic environments.

You’ll work on a cross-functional team exploring how AI agents learn from real-world data, adapt to user intent, and interact autonomously—or collaboratively—with users and systems. If you’re a self-starter who thrives on ambiguity, builds fast, and can bridge theory with practical outcomes, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Design and run applied research initiatives that inform the behavior and learning loops of AI agents
• Build and evaluate models for planning, memory, retrieval, reasoning, or tool use in agentic systems
• Develop internal tools and pipelines to test agent behavior across different environments
• Analyze structured and unstructured data from user-agent interactions, logs, and experiments
• Rapidly prototype and test hypotheses to improve agent performance and reliability
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and design to translate insights into deployable features
• Communicate findings clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Computer Science, Applied Math, Statistics, or related quantitative field
• 4+ years of experience in data science, applied ML, or AI research
• Strong Python and SQL skills; experience with libraries like scikit-learn, PyTorch, LangChain or any similar agentic framework
• Familiarity with LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), Reinforcement Learning, Fine-Tuning
• Comfort with ambiguity, fast iteration cycles, and self-directed research
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills — you can explain complex models to others clearly

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with agent frameworks (AutoGen, OpenAgents, LangGraph, etc.)
• Background in decision-making models, memory systems, or multi-agent coordination
• Exposure to vector databases, embeddings, and custom RAG pipelines
• Experience building evaluation frameworks or simulators for agent performance
• Experience with LLM Post Training – SFT, DPO, RLHF, GRPO

Who You Are

• Curious – You explore the edges of what’s possible with AI agents
• Action-biased – You ship prototypes quickly and iterate based on evidence
• Scientific – You bring structure to messy problems and back claims with data
• Independent – You operate autonomously and drive projects end-to-end
• Collaborative – You thrive in cross-functional teams and open discussion

Additional Information

What We’re Offering

• Salary Range: $240,000-280,000 + bonus
• Flexible paid time off, including sick and holiday
• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• 401K with Company contribution
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• Tuition assistance
• Community involvement and volunteering events

M/F/Disabled/Vet VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We are a Drug-Free Workplace. Interested candidates should apply at: www.ifs.com/about/careers-at-ifs

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer