Principal Behavioral Scientist

The pay range is $131000.00 - $236000.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on include labor markets and in some instancesmay include education work experience and addition to your pay Target cares about and invests in you as a team member so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs which may include medical vision dental life insurance and more to help you and your family take care of your whole benefits for eligible team members include 401(k) employee discount short term disability long term disability paid sick leave paid national holidays and paid competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at Us :

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

Target Human Resources is well known for its signature ability to build the very best teams and we infuse our work with Targets distinctive retail brand by continuously experimenting evolving and innovating. With the chance to positively impact over 350000 people worldwide in our stores distribution centers and headquarters youll be a strategic partner to both the leaders and the team members who elevate and nurture the Target team and guest experience. Our dynamic passionate and responsive team comprises specialized people-professionals from several diverse disciplines. We operate behind the scenes to create a progressive culture of value respect reward and professional advancement.

The People Analytics & Insights team mission is to empower a data driven approach to HR and people decisions regarding our global workforce. We are uniquely positioned to provide unbiased insights to unlock value and drive outcomes and to enable and influence HR and business strategy.

As a Principal Behavioral Scientist on the People Science team in People Analytics & Insights you will leverage your subject matter expertise and business area knowledge to developing and defining research initiatives that drive enterprise-wide strategy to enable Target to be the forefront of the retail this critical and highly visible role you will serve as a highly collaborative and relied-upon expert to senior leaders as they make key decisions.

About the role : Strategic Leadership

Define and advance the enterprise strategy for Behavioral Science research shaping how insights about people and work inform business decisions across Target. Leverage deep scientific expertise to generate and integrate data-driven insights that influence organizational goals and priorities. Build and sustain high-impact partnerships across HR business and analytics teams to ensure alignment with enterprise objectives. Mentor and develop a team of scientists and consultants setting a high bar for scientific rigor innovation and clarity of storytelling. Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives guiding decisions through clear evidence-based recommendations and facilitating critical discussions that drive enterprise action.

Expert Research and Insights

Apply advanced expertise in behavioral science statistics and research methodology to uncover drivers of performance engagement and organizational health. Design and lead complex multi-method research studies that connect people data to business outcomes. Translate findings into actionable insights and scalable solutions that shape talent culture and leadership strategies. Independently design new measurement frameworks tools and analytic approaches that expand the organizations listening and sensing capabilities. Stay at the forefront of academic and applied research to bring cutting-edge science to practice within the enterprise.

Program Leadership and Enterprise Impact

Direct large-scale multi-year initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and employee experience across the enterprise. Establish clear success metrics and governance models to ensure sustained impact and accountability. Lead cross-functional teams and stakeholders through influence fostering collaboration and alignment across business units. Anticipate and address emerging organizational challenges with proactive evidence-based strategies. Consistently deliver outcomes that strengthen the organizations ability to attract develop and retain world-class talent.

Core responsibilities of this job are described within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.

About you :

Masters or Ph.D. in behavioral or data science field such as Industrial Organizational Psychology or related fields

10 years relevant work experience plus 5 years HR and People Analytics experience preferred

Strong statistical expertise to understand the relevance and validity of mathematical models for the purpose of generating insights

Demonstrated experience achieving results through building enterprise relationships and using formal and informal influence across the business

Comprehensive understanding of Retail Human Resources and People Analytics

Able to set strategic direction leveraging internal and external information

Able to think critically resourcefully solve problems and confidently make decisions

Continuous learner; stays current with new and evolving technologies

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience presenting to senior leaders

This position may be considered for a Remote or Hybrid (known internally at Target as Flex for Your Day) work arrangement based on Targets needs. A Remote work arrangement means the team member worksfull-time from home oran alternatelocation thats not a Target location does not have a desk at a Target location and may travel to HQ up to 4 times a year. A Hybrid / Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team members core role may be performed either remote or onsite at a Target location depending upon what your role team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location unless otherwise prescribed by Target.

Benefits Eligibility

Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role : with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please reach out to Non-accommodation-related requests such as application follow-ups or technical issues will not be addressed through this channel.

Application deadline is : 11 / 16 / 2025

Required Experience :

Staff IC

Key Skills

Machine Learning,Python,Data Science,AI,R,Research Experience,Sensors,Drug Discovery,Research & Development,Natural Language Processing,Data Analysis Skills,Toxicology Experience

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 131000 - 236000