The mission of the Antitrust Division is to promote competition by enforcing the antitrust laws to protect economic freedom and opportunity on behalf of the American people. The Antitrust Division has an opening for a Data Scientist (DIRECT HIRE) to join its dedicated team and gain invaluable experience working in the public interest to protect the competitive process. Are you ready to contribute to matters of national importance that promote a competitive and productive American economy?
Duties
The Antitrust Division (ATR) is seeking highly qualified candidates to fill Data Scientist (DIRECT HIRE) positions in the Economic Analysis Group (EAG), Economic Policy Section (ELS). EAG is one of the world's leading venues for developing and applying economics to real world questions of competition. Selectees will work alongside Ph.D. economists to identify, specify, process, verify, and analyze complex data produced to the Division in the course of its investigations and litigations. Data relied upon most often comes from structured, relational databases, but can vary widely to include unstructured data and large, flat-file repositories of high-frequency data. The right candidate will have the ability to think flexibly about how to extract and transform data, particularly when those data arrive in unfamiliar and unexpected formats, to enable the complex investigations that define the Antitrust Division's core mission. The Data Scientists hired will play a vital role in developing the kind of evidence that plays a central role in enforcement efforts to protect competition and benefit consumers through low prices, high quality, product choice, and innovation. As a Data Scientist (DIRECT HIRE), you will: Collaborate with Division economists and e-Discovery experts on which data and supporting documentation to demand of parties and the formats in which to receive those data. Collaborate with Division economists and attorneys to formulate timely and precise written communication concerning databases and documentation, including identifying data most relevant to an investigation and determining how to best request and obtain such data from outside parties. Engage with database specialists and attorneys representing outside parties. Work with the Division's Technology Directorate on hardware, software, and network resources. Assesses how to best organize data for analysis in both local and cloud environments. Coordinate with the Division's Technology Directorate and economists to seamlessly roll out upgrades and new features. Prepare clear, high-quality graphical presentations of data utilizing summary tables, maps, and visual aids that effectively communicate insights from data to be presented to Division attorneys, economists, and senior management. Apply statistical theory, methods, and techniques in performing critical analysis and evaluation of structured data received by parties in response to mergers. Performs a variety of data manipulation tasks to support model development, including data cleaning, data summaries, diagnostics for model assessment, model evaluation, model selection, running simulation algorithms, and organizing simulation data. Organize and manipulate large data sets, including spatial data, and runs computer-based simulation models, performs statistical analyses, and graphically summarizes model output data with summary statistics. Develop computer programs to perform analysis of statistical data and findings. Use structured query language (SQL) queries and other tools to compile, clean, characterize, and extract data for both vetting the productions of outside parties and preparing those productions for investigatory analysis. Apply data analytics tools and languages such as Python, PySpark, R, SparkR, Databricks, Snowflake, Stata, or SAS to collect and analyze data. Use mapping software and other geospatial modeling tools to visualize information Performs other related duties as assigned Please note: Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above. Also, a writing sample and a combination of three to five business and academic references may be requested of individuals identified as best qualified, to be forwarded to the selecting official along with your application package, upon referral.
Salary
Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Educational Requirements AND Specialized Experience Requirements. BASIC EDCUATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications Standard for Data Science Series, 1560 Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience is experience that has provided you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as described above, and that is typically in or related to this position being filled. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, your resume must reflect at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level. GS-11 level: One full year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09, performing ALL the following: Experience applying data analytic tools and languages such as SQL, Python, PySpark, R, SparkR, Stata, or SAS; and Experience assessing how to best organize data for analysis in both local and cloud environments. An ideal candidate will also have the following experience: Experience using mapping software and geospatial modeling; and Experience communicating orally and in writing with professionals to discuss databases and documentation. OR EDUCATION 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR PhD or equivalent doctoral degree OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE A combination of graduate level education beyond the second year of progressively higher graduate study and appropriate specialized experience. IMPORTANT: A full year of work is 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited based on time spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
Applicants MUST submit a copy of transcripts with your application. An unofficial transcript is acceptable to qualify, but it must include your full name, name of the school, the date and degree awarded (if conferred), and the list of classes, grades and credits earned. You will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment if you are selected. All academic degrees and course work must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to check accreditation. *Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. *All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes: 1. A copy of your resume or equivalent - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume and cover letter. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences, as represented in their resume, clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position, and the competencies and technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. A cover letter is optional. RESUME REQUIREMENTS - ALL APPLICANTS: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire. The federal government has very specific resume requirements. If you have not written a federal resume before, you may want to read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements. Your resume should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of each employer. For all types of work experience, indicate the start and end date (include month and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that you worked. Your resume should also include any education and training you have completed (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date). 2. A copy of your transcript - If there is a basic education requirement, you are qualifying based on education, or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, an official transcript will ultimately be required if you are selected for the position. DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the minimum qualifications for this vacancy and provide all of the following documents: Your most recent performance appraisal; Your proof of eligibility notice from the agency; and Your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 08/07/2026 to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Please note: Applications mailed using government postage and/or internal federal government mailing systems are in violation of agency and postal regulations and will not be accepted. These instructions outline our application process. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, you must contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Jennifer Snyder by email at jennifer.snyder@usdoj.gov or by phone at 2025988069 to obtain an alternative application. If you require a reasonable accommodation for disability during any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Karen Jung by phone at 202-514-8885 or by email at Karen.Jung@usdoj.gov. The Antitrust Division provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. You must contact us by 5:00 p.m. ET on the announcement's closing date to request accommodation. Callers with hearing or speech impairment can access their state's telecommunications relay service (TRS) to make TTY calls by dialing 7-1-1. Ms. Jung is not the point of contact for questions about the vacancy announcement.
