AI Research & Innovation Lead

TransUnion • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role reports directly to Senior Manager, Data Science & Analytics within the AI R&D organization. This team is responsible for evaluating, developing and advancing next-generation AI capabilities that can create strategic advantage for TransUnion and its customers by engaging with TransUnion’s internal clients across a broad array of credit, fraud, insurance and marketing business applications. You’ll join a team that encourages curiosity, innovation, and scientific exploration with access to access to large-scale consumer, marketing, fraud, and risk datasets for applied AI research and opportunities to shape the future direction of AI-powered products and solutions across TransUnion's businesses.

This is a hybrid position and involves regular performance of job responsibilities virtually as well as in-person at an assigned TU office location for a minimum of two days a week. Role Overview and Core Responsibilities Modern cloud-based computing environments and access to state-of-the-art AI infrastructure for experimentation and rapid prototyping. The freedom to investigate and evaluate emerging AI paradigms including neuro-symbolic systems, causal AI, knowledge graphs, autonomous agents, reasoning systems, and trustworthy AI. Opportunities to publish, patent, present, and contribute to TransUnion's long-term innovation strategy.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cognitive Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Operations Research, or a closely related quantitative discipline
• 8+ years of professional experience in AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or related quantitative fields
• Strong foundation in one or more of the following areas: Classical AI, knowledge representation via ontology, knowledge graphs and graph neural networks, automated reasoning systems, search and planning algorithms, causal inference and causal modeling, probabilistic graphical models, explainable and trustworthy AI
• Advanced programming skills in Python and familiarity with modern AI development frameworks
• Familiarity with consumer data, fraud detection, financial services, risk analytics, identity, or marketing applications

Responsibilities

• Lead exploratory research initiatives focused on emerging AI techniques and their business applicability.
• Drive innovation in areas such as: neuro-symbolic AI, reasoning systems, knowledge-enhanced machine learning, agentic AI, causal AI, explainable AI, human-AI collaboration.
• Anticipate AI technology trends and assess their implications for TransUnion's products and services.
• Design, build, and evaluate proof-of-concepts and prototypes that demonstrate the value of emerging AI technologies.
• Create repeatable frameworks for assessing AI capabilities, limitations, risks, and business impact.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to transition successful research concepts into production-ready solutions.
• Represent TransUnion through publications and patents.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• supplemental plan options
• Spousal, domestic partner, and other eligible dependent coverage is available on select plans.
• HSA and FSA accounts
• company‑paid basic life and AD&D
• optional voluntary life and AD&D for you and your family
• short‑ and long‑term disability
• legal plan
• pet insurance
• travel accident coverage
• adoption assistance
• fertility planning coverage
• caregiver support
• Dependent Care FSA for possibility of an employer match
• complimentary Care@Work membership
• up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave with eligibility for a thoughtful, gradual return
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• financial wellness resources
• career coaching
• optional long‑term care insurance
• tuition reimbursement
• flexible time off for exempt employees or paid time off for nonexempt employees
• up to 12 paid holidays per year
• commuter benefits
• employee discounts
• charitable gift matching
• paid volunteer time off
• corporate volunteer events
• 24/7 support including professional therapy, coaching, and emotional well‑being programs
• guided meditation and resources that support physical, mental, social, and financial wellness

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior