Job Description

• Deliver high-impact data science and AI solutions from concept to production

• Lead research applying data science, AI and machine learning to central banking challenges

• Uplift data science and AI capability through technical leadership and mentoring

Are you an experienced data scientist who enjoys balancing hands-on delivery with applied research and technical leadership? Join the Reserve Bank of Australia as a Principal Data Scientist in Economic Research, where you will apply data science, AI and machine learning to central banking challenges, contribute to policy relevant research and build data science capability across the Bank.

About the team

The Data Science Hub, part of the Economic Research Department, is the hub of a vibrant and growing data science community at the Bank. We combine policy‑relevant research with practical delivery, translating advanced data science into impactful analytical tools and insights that support the Bank’s understanding of the economy and monetary policy.

About the role

As a Principal Data Scientist at the Reserve Bank of Australia, you will provide technical leadership and drive the application of data science and AI to central banking questions spanning monetary policy, financial stability and operational decision making. Balancing applied research with practical delivery, you will collaborate with economists and other stakeholders to translate complex analytical work into meaningful insights, while contributing to the growth of the Bank’s data science capability and setting a high technical bar for the team.

What You'll Do

• Lead end-end delivery of high impact data science projects, from scoping and prioritisation through to deployment.

• Lead and contribute to rigorous research applying data science, AI and non-traditional data to central banking challenges.

• Uplift data science capability across the Bank by championing advanced methodologies, providing mentoring and embedding best practices across teams.

• Provide deep technical expertise, working with IT and other stakeholders to shape platforms, infrastructure and governance that supports current and future data science needs.

• Translate complex analytics into actionable insights for senior policymakers and non-technical audiences.

About you

• Experience leading complex data science projects from concept through to delivery.

• Demonstrated research capability in data science, including experience producing high quality written work (e.g publications, working papers or applied research), with the ability to apply research thinking to practical problems.

• Deep technical expertise in modern data science techniques (e.g. machine learning, NLP, statistical modelling) and associated tools and platforms

• Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring and helping others build strong data science skills.

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and backgrounds to build alignment on objectives and deliver good outcomes.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical and senior audiences.

• Familiarity with macroeconomics, financial markets, financial stability, and monetary policy frameworks is highly regarded.

• A research‑focused postgraduate qualification (e.g. PhD or Master’s by Research), or equivalent research experience, is preferred.

Be More

Working for an organisation that truly makes a difference to the people of Australia, we can offer development and career opportunities in a collaborative environment that supports your growth, wellbeing and promotes flexibility. Your individual growth and success drives the RBA forward as an organisation. Be more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

Why RBA?

The RBA makes an important contribution to the Australian economy through the pursuit of national economic policy objectives and associated activities in financial markets and banking. We also issue Australia's banknotes and operate infrastructure critical to the payments system, all of which contribute to the welfare of the Australian people. Made up of specialists across a wide range of fields, our people, values, and culture play a critical role in achieving our objectives. Striving to be Open & Dynamic, we consider and incorporate different perspectives, work across teams and are transparent with each other, whilst delivering quality together effectively and focusing on outcomes by prioritising, testing, learning, and refining as we go. Our people conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity, while striving for excellence in the work they perform and the outcomes they achieve. We encourage intelligent inquiry and we treat one another with respect while promoting the public interest through our efforts. We know it is the growth and success of our people that drives the RBA forward. Come and make a bigger contribution while you build and develop your own skills too, because being more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse background, those living with a disability and from the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates.

Application Close :

April 17, 2026