Data Scientist II

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago is seeking a Data Scientist II to lead advanced analytics and machine learning initiatives. The position requires designing statistical models and providing strategic insights that enhance operational, clinical, and financial outcomes.

The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree and 2-5 years of relevant experience, particularly in healthcare or academic settings. You will collaborate with various teams to operationalize solutions and present findings to leadership.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of relevant work experience in analytics or data science.
• Experience working in healthcare or academic environments.
• Proficient in statistical methodologies and data governance.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy statistical models supporting BSD priorities.
• Lead analytics initiatives integrating large-scale datasets.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership.

Skills

Data visualization

Machine learning

Predictive modeling

Statistical analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Data Science or related field

Tools

Python

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About The Department

The University of Chicago biomedical enterprise houses three entities: the Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), and the Pritzker School of Medicine. Collectively called UCM, we are one of the nation's leading academic medical institutions and have been at the forefront of discovery, education, and clinical care since 1927. Located 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago, our Hyde Park main campus provides a single environment for learning, world-renowned basic science and clinical research, and outstanding clinical care. The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several centers and institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate to achieve our mission, vision, and values (MVV).

Mission: As part of the University of Chicago, we pursue globally impactful solutions to seemingly unsolvable challenges. Through rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing, we collaborate on life-changing advancements that create meaningful results for our community and the world, including a greater, more equitable future for all.

Vision: Together, we elevate the human experience with knowledge and health care.

Values:

• Commit to Excellence: We contribute our exceptional talents to all we do and empower the same spirit of excellence in others.
• Embrace Curiosity: We stay open to new ideas, champion diverse perspectives, and drive a culture of thoughtful risk-taking to deliver transformative innovation.
• Embody Equity: We identify systemic issues and then foster change to drive a more equitable environment inclusive of diverse people, ideas, and fields of science.
• Grow Together: We meaningfully collaborate with one another to create something bigger than we could ever achieve alone.
• Make a Difference: We lead with heart and compassion in all our interactions. We create positive change in our areas of influence, whether expanding scientific inquiry, developing the next generation of leaders, or healing our community.
• Take Ownership: We accomplish what we say we will and hold ourselves and one another accountable for our actions.

The MVV serves as our True North, charting our strategic plan for the next ten years and beyond. Our team is helping to shape the future for our learners, staff, faculty, patients, and community.

Job Summary

The Data Scientist II (DS2) is an experienced member of the Strategy & Analytics (S&A) team responsible for independently leading advanced analytics, predictive modeling, forecasting, machine learning, and operational intelligence initiatives across the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). This role serves as a strategic analytical partner to BSD leadership, Service Delivery Units (SDUs), and enterprise stakeholders by translating complex business challenges into scalable analytical solutions that drive operational, financial, workforce, clinical, research, and strategic outcomes. This role also contributes to the development of analytical standards, mentors junior analytics staff, and helps advance BSD’s analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, develop, validate, and deploy advanced statistical models, analytics solutions, and forecasting methodologies supporting BSD strategic priorities.
• Lead complex analytical initiatives requiring integration of large-scale operational, financial, workforce, clinical, and research datasets.
• Evaluate and implement advanced analytical techniques including machine learning, optimization, simulation, and artificial intelligence methodologies where appropriate.
• Partner with the S&A data engineer and enterprise analytics teams to operationalize analytical solutions and support scalable deployment of models and reporting assets.
• Identify emerging analytical opportunities and recommend innovative approaches to solving complex business challenges.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for statistical methodologies, forecasting, and best practices.
• Lead the development of executive-level analytics, dashboards, scorecards, and strategic performance reporting.
• Provide analytical consultation to senior leaders and stakeholders regarding performance drivers, forecasting assumptions, strategic initiatives, and operational improvement opportunities.
• Translate highly complex business questions into analytical frameworks, measurable outcomes, and actionable recommendations.
• Present analytical findings, model results, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and executive audiences.
• Influence organizational decision-making through proactive identification of risks, opportunities, and performance trends.
• Establish and promote analytical standards, model governance practices, validation methodologies, and documentation frameworks.
• Lead peer reviews and quality assurance processes for analytical outputs, models, and methodologies.
• Develop reusable analytical frameworks and best practices that improve consistency, reproducibility, and scalability across BSD analytics initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with organizational data governance, privacy, security, and regulatory requirements.
• Recommend improvements to enterprise metric definitions, data quality processes, and analytical governance standards.
• Lead medium- to large-scale analytics initiatives supporting strategic planning, operational transformation, workforce optimization, financial performance, and clinical operations.
• Serve as the primary analytics lead for assigned projects and stakeholder groups.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior analysts and DS1 team members.
• Collaborate with leadership, finance, HR, clinical operations, research administration, enterprise analytics, and IT teams to define analytical strategies and solutions.
• Evaluate emerging analytics technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance organizational analytical capabilities.
• Participates in the development of Business Intelligence (BI) and other analytical applications. Works to achieve an integrated reporting and analysis environment, effectively leveraging analytical systems and tools.
• Works with users to ensure deliverables are meeting or exceeding expectations. Provides support and communicates issues to users as defined by IT standards. Monitors access control and troubleshoot BI and analytic applications.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications
A college or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience
2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education
Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Healthcare Analytics, Business Analytics, or related STEM field strongly preferred.

Experience

• Experience working within an academic medical center, healthcare system, higher education institution, or similarly matrixed organization.
• Experience with Epic/Cogito applications including Clarity, SlicerDicer, or Reporting Workbench.
• Experience with Tableau, Power BI, Python, R, SAS, Alteryx, or cloud-based analytics environments.
• Experience supporting strategic planning, operational improvement, or performance management initiatives.
• Experience developing data visualizations and executive-facing analytical presentations.
• Experience maintaining analytical documentation, governance standards, and metric definitions.
• Experience mentoring analysts or junior data scientists.
• Experience with relational databases, enterprise reporting environments, and healthcare data structures.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to independently lead complex analytical initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and consultative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence strategic decisions through data-driven recommendations.
• Ability to mentor junior analytical staff and promote analytical best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively across operational, technical, and leadership teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to analytical accuracy and data integrity.
• Ability to adapt in a rapidly changing healthcare and academic environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.

Working Conditions

• Office Environment.
• Weekend/Evening Hours: As needed.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Information Technology

Role Impact
Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Drug Test Required
No

Health Screen Required
No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$70,000.00 - $110,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. The University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the relevance of the offense, circumstances, and timing to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and policies. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available upon request from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.