Principal Data Scientist

As a product-led organization, Global Nielsen Media puts the product at the center of the strategy and brings cross-functional teams together to work on particular products. With over 2,800 global patents in over 80 countries, the Product team drives value with cutting-edge solutions and analytics to create insights. Be a part of creating the innovative solutions that define the media ecosystem playing field and enable media markets to function
Principal Data Scientist – Audience Outcomes Data Science 
At Nielsen we understand the importance of knowing what consumers Watch and Buy. The Audience Outcomes group at Nielsen focuses on deriving insights for campaign performance at all levels of the consumer purchase journey.  As the world’s largest research organization, Nielsen is powered by talented, creative scientists and researchers.  Our Audience Outcomes Data Science associates come from diverse disciplines that include business, economics, engineering, mathematics, operations research, physics and statistics.  These professionals drive innovation and insight through continual ideation, complex analyses and delivery of insights to our clients.  Because measurement is at the core of Nielsen’s business, our products have high visibility and make a direct impact on our clients. 
Our team in Chicago has an opportunity available for a Principal Data Scientist.  The ideal candidate must have expertise in leading the research and development of analytic solutions with a focus on mathematical modeling, optimization algorithms, operations research, statistical methods, and machine learning processes.  The candidate would also have the capacity to work in an agile development environment alongside software engineers, and a solid foundation in developing solutions for marketing, and advertising organizations.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and manage newly hired associates
• Create various prototypes for research and development purposes
• Research, design and implement analytic and mathematical approaches and algorithms  
• Design and test analytical modules for Nielsen modeling and optimization platforms
• Partner with our Software Engineering department to build best-of-class web-based analytical solutions
• Document and present methodology inside and outside the company 

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or Systems Engineering with focus on optimization methods
• 4+ yrs experience in working in Data Science and/or Mathematical Optimization field
• Expertise in Python or other modern programming languages 
• Expertise in object-oriented programming
• Experience in using machine learning libraries and techniques
• Proficient in writing production grade code using scientific computing packages (e.g., R, Apache Spark's Machine Learning Library MLlib, NumPy, SciPy, Scikit-learn)
• Expertise in using optimization solvers like CPLEX, Gurobi and Numerical Algorithm Groups solvers
• Well-organized and capable of leading multiple mission-critical projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in short-release life-cycle (agile processes including scrum)