Data Science Physics Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Our Deloitte Strategy & Transactions team helps guide clients through their most critical moments and transformational initiatives. From strategy to execution, this team delivers integrated, end-to-end support and advisory services covering valuation modeling, cost optimization, restructuring, business design and transformation, infrastructure and real estate, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and sustainability. Work alongside clients every step of the way, helping them navigate new challenges, avoid financial pitfalls, and provide practical solutions at every stage of their journey-before, during, and after any major transformational projects or transactions.
SFL Scientific is a Deloitte Business that is part of our Strategy Offering, within our broader Strategy & Transactions practice mentioned above. This specialized team brings together several key capabilities to architect integrated programs that transform our clients' businesses. We are hiring a Senior Data Scientist to collaborate directly with clients to design and develop novel projects and solutions. Join a rapidly growing team of professionals working to build a world-class data science practice focused on solving complex and R&D problems.

Recruiting for this role ends on 8/31/2026.

Work You'll Do
As a Senior Data Scientist at SFL Scientific, you will define data strategy, drive technical development, and help us create the next generation of tools, products, and AI services. You will work closely with clients to understand their data sets, strategy, and operational requirements, in order to drive exploratory analysis and design long-term solutions.

Working with a team of interdisciplinary data scientists, engineers, architects, and consultants, our work includes novel areas such as cancer detection, drug discovery, optimizing population health and clinical trials, autonomous systems and edge AI, agentic solutions, and consumer product innovation. Join us to expand your technical career through the lens of consulting and work on novel projects and use cases to expand your data science & AI skills. Key responsibilities include:

• Guide clients with high autonomy in AI strategy and development, including understanding organizational needs, performing exploratory data analysis, building and validating models, and deploying models into production
• Lead client initiatives to deliver AI/ML solutions, including providing thought leadership, long-term maintenance, and AI strategy objectives
• Research and implement novel machine learning approaches, including advancing state-of-the-art training, solution design, network design, and hardware optimization
• Validate AI models and algorithm via code reviews, unit, and integration tests
• Support prioritization of project performance and model development and ensure AI solutions are delivered to maximize business impact and new initiatives
• Collaborate with data engineers, data scientists, project managers, and business teams to make sure delivery and presentations align with business objectives

A successful candidate would possess these skills:

• Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality of work product
• Ability to build and sustain professional relationships
• Ability to lead projects or workstreams
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to provide clear guidance to others

The Team
Our Strategy offering architects bold strategies to achieve business and mission goals, enabling growth, competitive advantage, technology modernization, and continuous digital and AI transformation.

Specifically, SFL Scientific, a Deloitte Business, is a data science professional services practice focused on strategy, technology, and solving business challenges with Artificial Intelligence (AI). The team has a proven track record serving large, market-leading organizations in the private and public sectors, successfully delivering high-quality, novel and complex projects, and offering deep domain and scientific capabilities. We are advancing both predictive and generative AI technologies while maintaining a commitment to data-driven decision making across all levels of a client's organization, building solutions that drive growth and create meaningful impact. Made up of experienced AI strategists, data scientists, and AI engineers, they serve as trusted advisors to executives, helping them understand and evaluate new and essential areas for AI investment and identify unique opportunities to transform their businesses.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's or PhD degree in a relevant STEM field (Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, etc.)
• 3+ years of experience in AI/ML algorithm development using core data science languages and frameworks (Python, PyTorch, etc.) and data analysis (NLP, time-series analysis, computer vision)
• 3+ years of experience and a proven track record applying traditional ML and deep learning techniques (CNNs, RNNs, GANs) across real-world projects, including model tuning and performance validation in production environments
• 3+ years of experience deploying and optimizing ML models using tools like Kubernetes, Docker, TensorRT/Trion, RAPIDs, Kubeflow, and MLflow
• 3+ years of experience in leveraging cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP) to deploy AI/ML workloads
• Live within commuting distance to one of Deloitte's consulting offices
• Ability to travel 10%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve
• Limited immigration sponsorship may be available

Preferred:

• 2+ years of experience working in a client-facing, consulting environment
• 2+ years of experience leading project/client engagement teams in the execution of complex AI data science solutions
• 1+ year of experience with LLM/GenAI use cases and developing RAG solutions, tools, and services (i.e., LangChain, LangGraph, MCP, etc.)
• 1+ year of experience with AWS Sagemaker or AWS ML Studio

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $128,000 to $252,500.

You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.

Our Deloitte Strategy & Transactions team helps guide clients through their most critical moments and transformational initiatives. From strategy to execution, this team delivers integrated, end-to-end support and advisory services covering valuation modeling, cost optimization, restructuring, business design and transformation, infrastructure and real estate, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and sustainability. Work alongside clients every step of the way, helping them navigate new challenges, avoid financial pitfalls, and provide practical solutions at every stage of their journey-before, during, and after any major transformational projects or transactions.
SFL Scientific is a Deloitte Business that is part of our Strategy Offering, within our broader Strategy & Transactions practice mentioned above. This specialized team brings together several key capabilities to architect integrated programs that transform our clients' businesses. We are hiring a Senior Data Scientist to collaborate directly with clients to design and develop novel projects and solutions. Join a rapidly growing team of professionals working to build a world-class data science practice focused on solving complex and R&D problems.

Recruiting for this role ends on 8/31/2026.

Work You'll Do
As a Senior Data Scientist at SFL Scientific, you will define data strategy, drive technical development, and help us create the next generation of tools, products, and AI services. You will work closely with clients to understand their data sets, strategy, and operational requirements, in order to drive exploratory analysis and design long-term solutions.

Working with a team of interdisciplinary data scientists, engineers, architects, and consultants, our work includes novel areas such as cancer detection, drug discovery, optimizing population health and clinical trials, autonomous systems and edge AI, agentic solutions, and consumer product innovation. Join us to expand your technical career through the lens of consulting and work on novel projects and use cases to expand your data science & AI skills. Key responsibilities include:

• Guide clients with high autonomy in AI strategy and development, including understanding organizational needs, performing exploratory data analysis, building and validating models, and deploying models into production
• Lead client initiatives to deliver AI/ML solutions, including providing thought leadership, long-term maintenance, and AI strategy objectives
• Research and implement novel machine learning approaches, including advancing state-of-the-art training, solution design, network design, and hardware optimization
• Validate AI models and algorithm via code reviews, unit, and integration tests
• Support prioritization of project performance and model development and ensure AI solutions are delivered to maximize business impact and new initiatives
• Collaborate with data engineers, data scientists, project managers, and business teams to make sure delivery and presentations align with business objectives

A successful candidate would possess these skills:

• Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality of work product
• Ability to build and sustain professional relationships
• Ability to lead projects or workstreams
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to provide clear guidance to others

The Team
Our Strategy offering architects bold strategies to achieve business and mission goals, enabling growth, competitive advantage, technology modernization, and continuous digital and AI transformation.

Specifically, SFL Scientific, a Deloitte Business, is a data science professional services practice focused on strategy, technology, and solving business challenges with Artificial Intelligence (AI). The team has a proven track record serving large, market-leading organizations in the private and public sectors, successfully delivering high-quality, novel and complex projects, and offering deep domain and scientific capabilities. We are advancing both predictive and generative AI technologies while maintaining a commitment to data-driven decision making across all levels of a client's organization, building solutions that drive growth and create meaningful impact. Made up of experienced AI strategists, data scientists, and AI engineers, they serve as trusted advisors to executives, helping them understand and evaluate new and essential areas for AI investment and identify unique opportunities to transform their businesses.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's or PhD degree in a relevant STEM field (Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, etc.)
• 3+ years of experience in AI/ML algorithm development using core data science languages and frameworks (Python, PyTorch, etc.) and data analysis (NLP, time-series analysis, computer vision)
• 3+ years of experience and a proven track record applying traditional ML and deep learning techniques (CNNs, RNNs, GANs) across real-world projects, including model tuning and performance validation in production environments
• 3+ years of experience deploying and optimizing ML models using tools like Kubernetes, Docker, TensorRT/Trion, RAPIDs, Kubeflow, and MLflow
• 3+ years of experience in leveraging cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP) to deploy AI/ML workloads
• Live within commuting distance to one of Deloitte's consulting offices
• Ability to travel 10%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve
• Limited immigration sponsorship may be available

Preferred:

• 2+ years of experience working in a client-facing, consulting environment
• 2+ years of experience leading project/client engagement teams in the execution of complex AI data science solutions
• 1+ year of experience with LLM/GenAI use cases and developing RAG solutions, tools, and services (i.e., LangChain, LangGraph, MCP, etc.)
• 1+ year of experience with AWS Sagemaker or AWS ML Studio

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $128,000 to $252,500.

You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individu...