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Data Science Postdoc Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be based out of either the Boston, MA or Portland, ME campus and ... D. in computer science, AI, Data Science, computational biology, Ethics in AI, or health-related ...

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Data Science Postdoc information

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How much do data science postdoc jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for data science postdoc in Boston, MA is $61.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50.67 and $73.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical daily or weekly responsibilities for a Data Science Postdoc?

Data Science Postdocs often spend their days designing and conducting advanced data analyses, developing and testing predictive models, and communicating results through reports or academic publications. They frequently collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and industry partners on interdisciplinary projects, contributing their quantitative expertise. Additionally, Data Science Postdocs may mentor junior researchers, participate in lab meetings, present findings in seminars, and contribute to grant proposals. This dynamic environment provides opportunities to deepen research skills, publish impactful work, and prepare for future career advancement in academia or industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Data Science Postdoc position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Science Postdoc, you need advanced analytical skills, expertise in statistical modeling, a doctoral degree in a quantitative field, and proven experience with data-driven research. Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, along with experience using machine learning libraries, data visualization tools, and version control systems, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaborative teamwork, and effective communication skills help set outstanding candidates apart. These attributes are crucial for advancing knowledge, publishing impactful research, and working effectively within interdisciplinary research teams.

What is a Data Science Postdoc job?

A Data Science Postdoc is a temporary research position, typically at a university or research institution, for individuals who have recently completed a PhD. The role focuses on applying advanced data science techniques, such as machine learning, statistical modeling, and big data analysis, to solve complex research problems. Postdocs often work on interdisciplinary projects, collaborate with faculty, publish academic papers, and may also contribute to teaching. The goal is to build expertise, advance knowledge in a specific domain, and prepare for roles in academia, industry, or government.

Infographic showing various Data Science Postdoc job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,381 per year, or $61.7 per hour.
Postdoctoral Research Position in Data Science/ML for Assessing Societal Impacts of AI Data Centers

Postdoctoral Research Position in Data Science/ML for Assessing Societal Impacts of AI Data Centers

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$75K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Harvard University rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

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Job description

Position
Details
Title
Postdoctoral Research Position in Data Science/ML for Assessing Societal Impacts of AI Data Centers
School
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Department/Area
Biostatistics
Position Description
We invite applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a massive research effort aimed at assessing the environmental and health impacts of AI data centers. The position will be supervised by Professor Francesca Dominici and will focus on building and evaluating a decision framework to guide the expansion of AI data centers, aligning economic opportunity with social impact. Our team leverages data pipelines to quantify data centers' electricity and water use, emissions, and air pollution exposure and health impacts. The overarching goal is to develop an interactive utility-facing geospatial toolkit through data science and partnerships with grid operators.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Develop a scalable data science pipeline to harmonize and link detailed information on type, size, location of data centers in the US, their electricity and water demand, carbon emissions; exposure to air pollution.
• Develop and/or apply methods for causal inference and machine learning to estimate the excess number of adverse health events and directly attributable to data centers
• Develop a decision-support platform that allows data center expansion while minimizing environmental exposures and associated health impacts.
• Lead and contribute to manuscripts for high-impact journals and conferences (e.g., Nature-like journals or top CS conferences).
• Present findings in internal meetings and at national/international conferences.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of biostatisticians, computer scientists, climate scientists and community and industry partners.
• Contribute to open-source code, reproducible research workflows, and, where possible, public tools or model artifacts.
Basic Qualifications
• PhD (completed or near completion) in one of the following or a closely related field:
  • Computer Science
  • Statistics / Biostatistics
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Data Science

• Demonstrated expertise in modern machine learning, including at least one of the following:
  • Spatiotemporal modeling or geospatial/temporal data analysis
  • Causal inference

• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with PyTorch, required to have experience developing code with a team through collaborative version control
• Experience working with large datasets and cloud computing environments.
• Solid background in statistical modeling and inference
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a track record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career stage.
Additional Qualifications
Prior experience with one or more of:
• Health claims data, EHRs, or other large-scale health/administrative datasets
• Environmental, climate, or air pollution exposure data
• Causal inference methods
Familiarity with interdisciplinary work at the interface of computer science, climate, environment, and health.
Special Instructions
Please submit the following materials:
• Cover letter describing your research interests, relevant experience, and fit for this position.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• One to three representative publications or preprints.
• Names and contact information for 2-3 references.
Contact Information
Catherine Adcock
Contact Email
catherine_adcock@harvard.edu
Salary Range
$75,000
Minimum Number of References Required
2
Maximum Number of References Allowed
3
Keywords
biostatistics; data science; machine learning; data centers

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