Data Science Intern

Macquarie University; Sydney; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, hybrid work arrangements

Subsidised onsite parking

Extensive training and development

Onsite childcare facilities

Job summary

Macquarie University is offering a practical work experience role for a current tertiary student or recent graduate in applying data science and ML techniques to institutional data. You will assist the BIR team with predictive models, scenario modelling and generating insights to improve student outcomes.

Key duties include data extraction/analysis with SQL and Python, model testing, documentation, and communicating results to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Current enrolment in or recent completion of data science/related tertiary studies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Python for data analysis and modelling, and SQL querying.
• Understanding of core ML concepts including training/test design and evaluation.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication, teamwork, and data confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist in enhancing and testing existing ML models to improve accuracy and robustness.
• Extract, prepare and analyse data using SQL and Python for modelling.
• Run test cases to study model performance under different assumptions.
• Evaluate model results to ensure robustness and defensibility.
• Document experiments, methods, and results following ML Ops standards.
• Communicate findings and limitations clearly to stakeholders.
• Handle sensitive data in line with privacy and governance rules.
• Support pre-employment checks and university policies as required.

Skills

Python for data analysis

SQL

pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

model evaluation

communication skills

data governance

confidentiality

Education

Tertiary studies in data science / computing

Tools

Snowflake

GitHub

CI/CD concepts

Job description

The Role

To provide a current tertiary education student or recent graduate with practical work experience in applying data science and machine learning techniques to institutional data. The role will assist BIR with the enhancement, testing and analysis of predictive models, including scenario modelling, to generate insights that inform decision-making and improve student support and outcomes. The Role To provide a current tertiary education student or recent graduate with practical work experience in applying data science and machine learning techniques to institutional data. The role will assist BIR with the enhancement, testing and analysis of predictive models, including scenario modelling, to generate insights that inform decision-making and improve student support and outcomes.

List of the main tasks/duties

• Assist in enhancing and testing of existing machine learning models to improve their accuracy, robustness and usefulness for decision-making.
• Extract, prepare and analyse data using SQL and Python, ensuring datasets are accurate, consistent and suitable for modelling in accordance with established standards and guidelines.
• Assist with running test cases, checking how model performance and outputs change under different assumptions and features, to support the team with model refinement.
• Assist in evaluating model performance and validating results to help ensure outputs are robust and defensible.
• Document experiments, methods, code changes and results in line with established ML Ops framework and documentation standards.
• Communicate findings and the limitations of each approach to support informed decision-making.
• Handle confidential and sensitive data in accordance with University privacy, data governance and information security requirements.
• Comply with relevant EEO and WHS regulations.
• Perform any other duties as required and appropriate for this classification.

Selection criteria

• Current enrolment in, or recent completion of, tertiary studies in data science, computing, statistics, mathematics, actuarial studies or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience using, Python for data analysis and modelling (for example pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn), and SQL for querying and joining relational data.
• Understanding of core machine learning concepts, including training and test design, overfitting and model evaluation.
• High attention to detail and well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to work collaboratively with team members and stakeholders, and communication technical information clearly.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

Desired Knowledge or experience

• Knowledge or experience with gradient boosting models (for example XGBoost, LightGBM or CatBoost) and model explainability techniques.
• Experience with Snowflake or another cloud data platform.
• Version control using GitHub.
• Understanding of CI/CD concepts as applied to data science or analytics workflows.

Role Specific enquiries

Aabha Anand Tiwari [e-mail]

Pre-Employment Checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

About Us

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Celebrating its 60th year in 2024, it was established as a bold experiment in higher education and designed to break from educational traditions to work in tandem with industry. Institutionally we strive for the extraordinary by challenging convention and embracing different views. Our pioneering culture has encouraged and inspired students, staff and collaborators to break free from conventional thinking, and to actively shape the complex issues that define the future of humanity.

Applications Close

22/11/2026 11:59 PM

A Place Where You Belong

At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

Flexible Work

At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, visit our Jobs at Macquarie page.

You to the Power of Us

It’s an invitation for you to bring your passion and purpose to a campus powered by human collaboration, and where the potential of every person multiplies our ability to achieve remarkable things. Hear from our Vice Chancellor Bruce Dowton.

Our values

Our values — Collective Ambition, Purposeful Collaboration, Bold Innovation, and Genuine Care — are at the heart of everything we do and by living our values, we unlock the true potential of You to the Power of Us. Our values guide how we work, lead and support one another. We know Macquarie is at its best when we live our values every day.

Fostering Belonging

Our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework 2024-2028 and our Flexible Work approach support Macquarie’s vision by building a community where everyone truly feels safe and like they belong. We acknowledge the richness of each individual’s identity and the potential that brings. This diversity amplifies You to the Power of Us and creates an inclusive environment that leads to better outcomes for all. Through a nurturing and fair environment, we are a workplace that enables you to balance both your personal needs and professional goals.

What we offer?

When you join Macquarie University, you gain access to a supportive, flexible workplace designed to help you thrive. Our benefits include:

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Extensive training and professional development programs
• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
• Onsite vacation care during school holidays
• Discounted health insurance
• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

Discover our beautiful campus

Just 15km from Sydney’s CBD and with access to Australia’s only dedicated university metro station, our Wallumattagal Campus in Macquarie Park offers a vibrant and inspiring place to work—right in one of the world’s greatest cities.

Take a look at our campus.

Join a workplace that’s inclusive, outcome-focused and driven by shared purpose.

Privacy

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