Data Scientist

The Data Scientist will be responsible for federating and analyzing student data from disparate systems, to provide data-informed decision-support to university leadership. Assigned within the Center for Student Analytics (CSA), this position will leverage complex data using advanced analysis techniques, such as predictive modeling, to support the University's student success goals. Under the supervision of the CSA Director, the position will create strong partnerships with various stakeholders across the University system, to apply sophisticated technical knowledge as a consultant to prepare statistical analyses, narrative reports, and recommendations.

70% - Federate, Clean, and Analyze Data using Advanced Techniques

• Clean and transform, data in preparation for statistical and analytical use.
• Apply statistical modeling and machine learning methods to diverse sets of data, and interpret, process, and synthesize results.
• Exercise judgement and prudence when preparing datasets, applying models, and interpreting results, to ensure only accurate and unbiased findings are disseminated.
• Provide accessible, action-oriented insights that lead to improved efficiency and intentionality through collaborative partnerships.
• Create, maintain, and execute a cascading plan of action utilizing large data sets from disparate sources across campus using advanced techniques, such as predictive modeling, and random forests.
• Determine appropriate statistical analyses and methods to employ, based on data availability and project needs

20% - Communication & Advocacy

• Identify and pursue opportunities to serve as an emissary for advanced analytics techniques in action.
• Support, empower, and collaborate with institutional partners across campus.
• In close collaboration with colleagues, assist with the preparation and distribution of public scholarship and peer-reviewed data science.
• Serve as a resource for applied statistical methods using advanced and sophisticated technical knowledge.
• Collaborate with program administrators and other stakeholders to develop context around student participation data and empower data literacy.
• Effectively communicate analytic results to both technical and non-technical audiences.

10% - Professional Development & Special Projects

• Stay informed about the state of the field in data science and predictive analytics in higher education.
• Special projects or other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate for this position should have:

• A strong interest and aptitude in student success and related data.
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• A technical aptitude and understanding of predictive models and ethics of care.
• An ability to collaborate and follow guidance regarding stakeholder engagement and public communication.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Equivalent to a Master’s degree in Data Analytics, Computer Science, Business, or related technical field and two (2) years of related experience required.
• Demonstrated statistical and quantitative analysis experience.
• Ability to effectively work independently and function as a collaborative team member.
• Exposure to and experience using analytics databases, reporting tools, and visualization tools.
• Proficiency in at least one programming languages (Python, R, Scala, etc.) for data preparation and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Data Analytics or related field.
• Three (3) or more years of experience processing, cleaning, creating dashboards or other data visualizations.
• Three (3) or more years of experience developing, testing, and analyzing statistical or predictive models in a higher education or educational setting.
• Experience working with large complex data sets.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

A service entity within the Office of the Executive Vice President at Utah State University, the Center for Student Analytics (CSA) uses data analytics to improve student success in collaboration with stakeholders and partners within and external to the university. Created in 2016, the CSA plays an important role in identifying actionable insights to improve student success at Utah State University.

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.

 

USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employs 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.

 

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

 

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

 

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

 

USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.

 

USU Land Acknowledgment

Please visit our website to learn about Utah State’s land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.

 

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

 

*updated 11/2022