Data Science Intern

Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.

Job Summary
Westat is seeking a Data Science Intern to join our Statistics and Data Science Center from hire through December 2026. The position requires a commitment of 20 hours per week, on average, and involves programming in R, Python, and SQL; applying data science and artificial intelligence (AI) methods (e.g., natural language processing, machine learning, and large language models) to structured and unstructured data; data analytics and visualization.

This role is based out of Bethesda, Maryland and requires 2 days per week on site.

Job Responsibilities
• Develop and test R and Python to collect, process, link, and analyze data in various formats.
• Develop SQL code to query, process, and manage large data files in databases.
• Apply supervised and unsupervised machine learning frameworks to data collected from a variety of sources.
• Use natural language processing methods and large language models to clean, parse, link, summarize and analyze large and unstructured data.
• Develop data visualizations using open-source libraries in R and Python and proprietary software such as Tableau and PowerBI.
• Develop and maintain code documentation using Git, implement coding standards, and apply best practices.
• Present to internal and external clients.

Basic Qualifications
• Must be enrolled in a master’s degree program in math, statistics, data science or related field.
• Experience working in data science related projects.
• Proficiency in R, Python, SQL.
• Demonstrated experience developing machine learning and natural language processing methods.
• Developed, queried, and managed large data files in databases.
• Proven experience using Git as version control system.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working in a professional services research environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for presenting technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and may be removed from posting after 100 applications have been received.

Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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