Lead Data Scientist AI Research & Innovation

TransUnion's Job Applicant Privacy Notice Personal Information We Collect Your Privacy Choices Team Overview This role reports directly to Senior Manager, Data Science & Analytics within the AI R&D organization. This team is responsible for evaluating, developing and advancing next-generation AI capabilities that can create strategic advantage for TransUnion and its customers by engaging with TransUnion’s internal clients across a broad array of credit, fraud, insurance and marketing business applications. You’ll join a team that encourages curiosity, innovation, and scientific exploration with access to access to large-scale consumer, marketing, fraud, and risk datasets for applied AI research and opportunities to shape the future direction of AI-powered products and solutions across TransUnion's businesses.

This is a hybrid position and involves regular performance of job responsibilities virtually as well as in-person at an assigned TU office location for a minimum of two days a week. Role Overview and Core Responsibilities Modern cloud-based computing environments and access to state-of-the-art AI infrastructure for experimentation and rapid prototyping. The freedom to investigate and evaluate emerging AI paradigms including neuro-symbolic systems, causal AI, knowledge graphs, autonomous agents, reasoning systems, and trustworthy AI. Opportunities to publish, patent, present, and contribute to TransUnion's long-term innovation strategy. Lead exploratory research initiatives focused on emerging AI techniques and their business applicability. Drive innovation in areas such as: neuro-symbolic AI, reasoning systems, knowledge-enhanced machine learning, agentic AI, causal AI, explainable AI, human-AI collaboration. Anticipate AI technology trends and assess their implications for TransUnion's products and services. Design, build, and evaluate proof-of-concepts and prototypes that demonstrate the value of emerging AI technologies. Create repeatable frameworks for assessing AI capabilities, limitations, risks, and business impact. Collaborate with engineering teams to transition successful research concepts into production-ready solutions. Represent TransUnion through publications and patents. Required Knowledge and Experiences Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cognitive Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Operations Research, or a closely related quantitative discipline 8+ years of professional experience in AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or related quantitative fields Strong foundation in one or more of the following areas: Classical AI, knowledge representation via ontology, knowledge graphs and graph neural networks, automated reasoning systems, search and planning algorithms, causal inference and causal modeling, probabilistic graphical models, explainable and trustworthy AI Advanced programming skills in Python and familiarity with modern AI development frameworks Familiarity with consumer data, fraud detection, financial services, risk analytics, identity, or marketing applications Benefits that support every part of your life: At TransUnion, we design benefits to help you feel well, do well, and plan well—from day one. For Your Health : Enjoy day-one eligibility for medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus supplemental plan options. Spousal, domestic partner, and other eligible dependent coverage is available on select plans. Choose tax‑advantaged HSA and FSA accounts to make everyday care more affordable. For Your Protection : We’ve got your back with company‑paid basic life and AD&D, optional voluntary life and AD&D for you and your family, and short‑ and long‑term disability. You can also opt into a legal plan, pet insurance, and travel accident coverage. For Your Family : From adoption assistance and fertility planning coverage to caregiver support, we’re here for every chapter. Access Dependent Care FSA for possibility of an employer match, a complimentary Care@Work membership, and up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave with eligibility for a thoughtful, gradual return. For Your Future : Build toward what’s next with our 401(k) with employer match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Tap financial wellness resources, career coaching, and optional long‑term care insurance to plan confidently. For You : Grow and recharge with tuition reimbursement, flexible time off for exempt employees or paid time off for nonexempt employees, up to 12 paid holidays per year, commuter benefits, employee discounts, charitable gift matching, and paid volunteer time off, plus corporate volunteer events that make it easy to give back. For Your Wellness : Access 24/7 support including professional therapy, coaching, and emotional well‑being programs alongside guided meditation and resources that support physical, mental, social, and financial wellness. We are committed to being a place where diversity is not only present, it is embraced. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, TransUnion takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans in all levels of employment and develops annual affirmative action plans. Components of TransUnion’s Affirmative Action Program for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are available for review to any associate or applicant for employment upon request by contacting ERCoE@transunion.com . Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. Adherence to Company policies, sound judgment and trustworthiness, working safely, communicating respectfully, and safeguarding business operations, confidential and proprietary information, and the Company’s reputation are also essential expectations of this position. Pay Scale Information: The U.S. base salary range for this position is $112,500.00 - $187,500 annually. *The salary range for this position reflects a reasonable estimate of the range of compensation for this job. At TransUnion, actual compensation is based on careful consideration of additional factors such as (but not limited to) an individual’s education, training, work experience, job-related skill set, location, and industry knowledge, as well as the scope and responsibilities of the position and market considerations. Regular, fulltime non-sales positions may be eligible to participate in TransUnion’s annual bonus plan. Certain positions may be also eligible for long-term incentives and other payments based on applicable company guidance and plan documents.
 TransUnion Overview: At TransUnion, we encourage and are committed to creating a real, positive impact and shared sense of purpose within our Workforce for Good , which empowers our people to grow, innovate and contribute to a better future for our communities and customers. We strive to build an environment where our associates are in the driver’s seat of their professional development— while having access to help along the way. We recognize that success comes when our associates thrive both professionally and personally; that’s why we prioritize work/life flexibility and offer resources for our teams across the globe to collaborate and drive excellence. Be a part of o