1

Machine Learning Research Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Conduct research and develop ML models to identify patterns in noisy, non-stationary data * Work side-by-side with our Machine Learning team on real, impactful problems in quantitative trading and ...

Learn and understand a large body of research in deep learning and machine learning * Participate in cutting-edge research for medical applications of computer vision Must Have Experience

Learn and understand a large body of research in deep learning and machine learning * Participate in cutting-edge research for medical applications of computer vision Must Have Experience

next page

Showing results 1-20

Machine Learning Research information

See Pennsylvania salary details

$11

$22

$37

How much do machine learning research jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for machine learning research in Pennsylvania is $22.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.36 and $23.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is machine learning research?

Machine learning research is the scientific study and development of algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to perform tasks without explicit instructions, instead relying on patterns and inference. Researchers in this field work on advancing the theory, design, and application of machine learning systems, exploring areas such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, and unsupervised learning. They often publish their findings, develop new techniques, and collaborate with industry to solve real-world problems. This work is foundational to progress in artificial intelligence and has wide-ranging impacts across technology, healthcare, finance, and more.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a machine learning researcher?

To thrive as a Machine Learning Researcher, you need a strong background in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, often supported by an advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a related field. Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, experience with machine learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), and familiarity with cloud computing platforms are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and effective communication skills help researchers devise novel solutions and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams. These skills are essential for driving innovation, solving complex problems, and advancing the field of machine learning.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in machine learning research and how can they be overcome?

One of the main challenges in Machine Learning Research is dealing with insufficient or poor-quality data, which can hinder model performance and generalizability. Additionally, keeping up with the rapid pace of advancements in the field requires continuous learning and adaptation. Collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams, such as data engineers and domain experts, is also crucial but can present communication challenges. Overcoming these obstacles typically involves building strong data pipelines, dedicating time for ongoing education, and honing collaboration and communication skills to bridge gaps between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What is the difference between Machine Learning Research vs Data Scientist?

AspectMachine Learning ResearchData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's/PhD) in CS, ML, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in CS, Statistics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsBusiness environments, analytics teams, product development
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, universitiesTech, finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and more
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Machine Learning Research focuses on developing new algorithms and advancing theoretical understanding, often in academic or R&D settings. Data Scientists apply existing ML techniques to analyze data, build models, and generate insights for business decisions. While both roles require strong technical skills, Machine Learning Research emphasizes innovation and theory, whereas Data Scientists focus on practical application and data analysis.

How to become a machine learning researcher?

To become a machine learning researcher, typically a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming is required, along with advanced degrees such as a master's or Ph.D. in computer science, data science, or related fields. Gaining experience with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, publishing research, and staying current with academic literature are also important steps.

Is machine learning research a high paying job?

Machine learning research positions are generally well-paid due to the high demand for specialized skills in algorithms, data analysis, and programming languages like Python and TensorFlow. Salaries vary based on experience, education, and location, but they tend to be higher than average for many tech roles, especially in industry or academia with strong research funding.

What does a machine learning researcher do?

A machine learning researcher develops algorithms and models that enable computers to learn from data and improve their performance over time. They analyze large datasets, experiment with different techniques, and publish findings to advance the field, often using tools like Python, TensorFlow, or PyTorch. Their work typically involves both theoretical understanding and practical implementation to solve complex problems across various industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Research jobs in Pennsylvania?

The most popular types of Machine Learning Research jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Machine Learning Research jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Machine Learning Research job openings:

Infographic showing various Machine Learning Research job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,333 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Machine Learning Research Assistant

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Public Administration • 1 - 5K employees

$19.50 - $26.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

CompanyFederal Reserve Bank of PhiladelphiaThe Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia is one of the 12 regional Reserve Banks that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the Federal Reserve System. It helps formulate and implement monetary policy, supervises banks, savings and loan holding companies, and provides financial services to depository institutions and the federal government. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia serves eastern and central Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware.
Research assistants (RAs) at the Philadelphia Fed play a key role in the Economic Research Department. Whether they are helping economists prepare briefings on current monetary policy issues, working on economic forecasts, writing some of our newsletters on economic conditions, or analyzing data for long-term research projects, RAs work as an essential part of our team and gain depth of experience. The Bank's RA program is structured as a two-year program, with most RAs continuing on to graduate programs or other careers in economics or related fields after two years with the Bank. Employment is at-will
You will perform statistical and econometric analyses to support or prove the research and consulting projects initiated by machine learning economists. Identifies, collects, and prepares data required for machine learning projects. Initiates and conducts independent research projects of a limited nature for and under the supervision of economists.

Job Description

Our department prides itself on its collegial atmosphere. RAs help one another develop their statistical, data, and programming skills. Our economists collaborate on research with academic and central bank colleagues from around the world; as a result, so do our research assistants.

The assignments in the Economic Research Department offer our RAs a number of ways to increase their knowledge of economics and their analytical skills. Moreover, RAs have access to a number of training and education opportunities, including courses in computer software and programming languages, as well as undergraduate and graduate courses in economics, statistics, and mathematics.

Working as a RA at the Philadelphia Fed is a rewarding experience, whichever career path you ultimately choose to pursue. Our RAs have gone on to top graduate schools in economics, public policy and law; some have found opportunities in other departments in the Bank; and others have moved into higher positions within the Economic Research Department.

The Bank's RA program is structured as a two-year program, with most RAs continuing on to graduate programs or other careers in economics or related fields after two years with the Bank. Employment is at-will.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs statistical and econometric analysis using state-of-the art machine learning techniques.

Organizes data for analysis and writes computer programs using Python, R, SAS, Stata, Matlab and other software.

Presents results of research to economists and management in oral or written reports.

Writes programs to automate data collection procedures.

Uses knowledge of data sources (such as Haver and RADAR) and data content to determine what source will best provide data for a project.

Initiates, plans, and executes research projects of a limited nature subject to supervising economists' approval.

Designs databases for use in economic research projects and machine learning projects across the bank.

Writes documentation of data sources, algorithms, and statistical tests that have been performed on the data.

Documents procedures and trains junior analysts when required.

Reviews literature on research topics and may contact others doing similar research.

Determines what information is relevant to the project and provides economists with summaries of findings, both orally and in writing.

Keeps abreast of current developments in economics and computer science.

Produces charts and graphs to communicate findings to business lines throughout the bank.

Works individually or in a group to identify, communicate, and implement changes and initiatives with the goal of improving the quality of the operation or product.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Fulfills job duties and responsibilities in conformance with sound safety practices.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in computer science, economics, mathematics, statistics, or finance, preferred.

Minimum of two years' experience in or knowledge about natural language processing and processing large datasets and their related programming skills are a plus.

Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of State-of the-art machine learning methods.

Demonstrated ability to apply quantitative techniques in research projects under general supervision.

Ability to use statistical programs, such as Python, R, Stata, SAS, and Matlab, to organize data into files and to perform advanced statistical and econometric analyses.

Ability to quickly find relevant data for research projects and for speeches and presentation visuals.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Good oral and written communication skills.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to spend long hours working at a personal computer.

To apply: Please upload both a resume and a cover letter to be considered for this position. Please upload your files to the Attachments tab.

The salary grade for this position is 12.

We offer a great benefits package that features:

Medical (4 options), Prescription, Dental (3 options), and Vision Insurance with no waiting period

401k/Thrift Plan with generous employer match

Employer-funded Pension Plan

Paid Vacation/Sick Time & Holidays

Monthly $200 Commuter Allowance

Flexible Spending Accounts and Healthcare Spending Accounts

Flexible Work Schedule available in most departments

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement (undergraduate and graduate)

Parental Leave

Free onsite 24/7 Fitness Center including training classes, Peloton bikes and locker room / shower facilities

Onsite Cafeteria & Coffee Shop

Additional Convenience Benefits, Discounts and More...

Additional Information:

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia takes your information privacy seriously. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia staff will only email you from the "@phil.frb.org" domain or through the Workday system "rb@myworkday.com". If you are initially contacted by phone, feel free to request that the caller provide you with their email address to validate their identity. If you have any questions about the validity of someone who contacts you regarding this position, please email the Talent Acquisition team at TalentAcquisition@phil.frb.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring the best candidates and to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, military service, or any other basis protected by law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job responsibilities, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at TalentAcquisition@phil.frb.org.

All Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia employees must comply with the Bank's ethics rules, which generally prohibit employees, their spouses/domestic partners, and minor children from owning securities, such as stock, of banks or savings associations or their affiliates, such as bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies. If you or your spouse/domestic partner or minor child own such securities and would not be willing or able to divest them if you accepted an offer of Bank employment, you should raise this issue with the Recruiter for this posting, who can provide you contact information for our ethics officer if necessary. You should review the Bank's Employee Code of Conduct to ensure compliance with conflict of interest rules and personal investment restrictions.

You will be required to complete a background investigation including drug testing as a condition of employment, after the job offer is made. Candidates for positions deemed as "safety sensitive" will also be drug screened for the presence of marijuana. Any hiring decision based on a background investigation will be made following an individualized assessment that is job-related and consistent with business necessity and applicable law. Employment may not begin until the Bank accepts the results of the background investigation.

Due to the nature of the information you will have access to, we require that you also complete a more in-depth enhanced background screening (Peraton moderate or high).

All employees will be subject to FBI fingerprint / criminal background and Patriot Act/ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) watch list checks at least once every five years.

This position requires access to confidential supervisory information and/or FOMC information, which is limited to "Protected Individuals" as defined in the U.S. federal immigration law. Protected Individuals include, but are not limited to, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. permanent residents who either are not yet eligible to apply for naturalization or who have applied for naturalization within the requisite timeframe. Candidates who are permanent residents must sign a declaration of intent to become a U.S. citizen when eligible to do so and pursue a path to citizenship. Candidates who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents may be eligible for the information access required for this position if they sign a declaration of intent to become a permanent resident and a U.S. citizen and meet other eligibility requirements. In addition, all candidates must undergo an applicable background check and comply with all applicable information handling rules. You will provide work authorization to prove your eligibility to work in the United States.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature, level of work and the requirements of this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities associated with this position or the personnel so classified. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of this position, management reserves the right to revise this or any job description at its discretion at any time.

By applying to this position, you agree you will be available to work on-site in a full-time capacity.

Learn more about the Philly Fed and its culture. Learn more about working for the Philly Fed.

Full Time / Part TimeFull timeRegular / TemporaryRegularJob Exempt (Yes / No)YesJob CategoryEconomics/Research Family GroupWork ShiftFirst (United States of America)

The Federal Reserve Banks are committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and job applicants in compliance with applicable law and to an environment where employees are valued for their differences.

Always verify and apply to jobs on Federal Reserve System Careers (https://rb.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/FRS) or through verified Federal Reserve Bank social media channels.

Privacy Notice