ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH SCIENTIST
There is no civil service exam for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist. As a non-competitive state title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.
To be eligible you bring a bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $83,582 and $122,832.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of the Chief Data Officer or other administrative or executive official in a state department, agency, or institution, conducts high-level research to design and implement machine learning algorithms and models to improve public service delivery and drive organizational decision- making; performs experiments to test hypotheses, validate models, and analyze results; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Collects, cleans, and prepares data for analysis and modeling including removing duplicate records, correcting errors, addressing inconsistencies in data formats, identifying outliers, standardizing the data, and simplifying the datasets; ensures data quality and integrity. Analyzes large, complex government datasets including government databases and public records to gain insights and identify areas for process optimization and service improvement. Uses statistical tools and visualization libraries to plot data distributions and identify trends/patterns. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate machine learning solutions into existing systems, products, and services. Develops predictive machine learning models to aid in resource allocation, budgeting, and decision-making across government departments. Conducts advanced research and experimentation in the field of AI to explore new algorithms and methodologies; develops prototypes to test new theories. Designs and develops novel algorithms. Implements models into production environments, ensuring they are integrated with existing systems in a seamless manner. Evaluates model performance using appropriate metrics such as accuracy precision and recall; optimizes models through cross-validation and hyperparameter tuning; detects issues such as data drift or model degradation; makes updates as necessary. Communicates insights and model results to stakeholders through reports, publications, presentations, and data visualizations. Writes proposals to secure funding and grants for research projects. Keeps current with the latest advancements in AI and machine learning technologies and methodologies. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. REQUIREMENTS:
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or a related field.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in conducting research in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data science; or four (4) years of experience designing and implementing algorithms and/or machine learning models. NOTE: A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the above fields may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, R). Knowledge of machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Scikit-learn). Knowledge of data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Matplotlib, Seaborn). Knowledge of cloud services (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud). Knowledge of statistical methods, distributions, and tests. Knowledge of research methods and techniques. Ability to work with SQL and NoSQL databases. Ability to develop and deploy machine learning models. Ability to utilize critical thinking and AI to develop innovative solutions to problems. Ability to effectively communicate and convey technical information to others. Ability to collaborate with professionals from various areas and disciplines. Ability to translate and explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders and staff. Ability to manipulate and analyze large and complex datasets. Ability to ensure data accuracy and reliability of model predictions. Ability to perform mathematical and statistical calculations. Ability to conduct experiments and formulate hypotheses. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this class specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.