Director, Data Science&AI Core

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 128,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Tuition benefits

Professional development

Job summary

The University of Minnesota seeks a Director of Data Science & Digital Health to lead CLHSS Data Core, overseeing data architecture, clinical data management, data delivery, AI, data science, and digital health research. You will manage a multidisciplinary team and Partner with faculty, health system leaders, informatics, and operations to build an integrated data ecosystem.

You will steer data strategy, governance, and high-quality analytics while advancing scalable, interoperable data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field + 8 years of related experience, or an advanced degree + 6 years of related experience.
• Experience developing and implementing strategies aligning data architecture, clinical data management, data delivery services, and advanced analytics in healthcare.
• At least 2 years of supervisory, managerial, or team leadership experience.
• Experience with clinical and real world health data (e.g., EHR, registries, claims, digital health data) and expertise in clinical data terminologies, ontologies and common data models.
• Knowledge of data architecture, data technologies and infrastructure, clinical data models and interoperability, data governance, and data management practices.
• Strong project, portfolio, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to translate technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with modern analytics and data platforms (SQL, R, Python, Databricks, Snowflake, or similar).
• Commitment to positive team dynamics, client satisfaction, and creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• Self-motivated and self-directed; able to set priorities and drive results.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic vision for CLHSS data architecture and governance.
• Oversee data models, ontologies, and data integration.
• Partner with health system and IT leaders to align data strategies.
• Promote interoperability, scalability, and reusability of data assets.
• Lead development and governance of data standards and quality frameworks.
• Ensure stewardship of real-world health data (EHR, registries, claims, digital health).
• Direct CLHSS data delivery services and improve them.
• Develop service models, workflows, metrics, and performance standards.
• Guide AI and data science strategy and governance.
• Direct supervise Data Core staff and manage staffing and performance.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Data architecture

Clinical data knowledge

Interoperability

AI/ML awareness

Team leadership

Analytic platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Advanced degree (e.g., PhD or equivalent)

Doctoral degree (preferred)

Tools

SQL

R

Python

Databricks

Snowflake

Job description

About the Job

Position Overview

The Director of Data Science & Digital Health providesstrategic leadership for the Center for Learning Health System Sciences (CLHSS) Data Core, overseeing data architecture, clinicaldata management, data delivery services, AI, data science, anddigital health research across the learning health systemlifecycle. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team of data scientists,analysts, and research data professionals while partnering withfaculty investigators, health system leaders, informatics teams,and research operations staff. The role serves as the Center's leadfor data strategy, ensuring that data infrastructure, clinical datamodels, governance, analytics, and AI capabilities function as anintegrated ecosystem that supports research, quality improvement,clinical innovation, and operational decision-making. Working closely with university and health system partners, theDirector advances scalable, interoperable, and sustainable datacapabilities while ensuring the efficient delivery of high-qualitydata and analytic services. As a member of the CLHSS leadershipteam, the Director helps align data, technology, and researchstrategy across the Center's domains, including implementationscience, pragmatic trials, digital health, evidence generation, andhealthcare operations, to accelerate learning and improvementacross the health system.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

30%: Data Strategy, Architecture & Clinical DataStewardship

• Establish and lead the strategic vision for CLHSS dataarchitecture, clinical data management, and data governance.
• Guide development and evolution of enterprise-aligned clinicaldata models, terminology standards, ontologies, and dataintegration approaches supporting research and operationalpriorities.
• Partner with health system, research informatics, and ITleaders to ensure alignment between CLHSS needs and broaderorganizational data strategies.
• Promote interoperability, scalability, sustainability, andreusability of data assets and infrastructure.
• Lead development and governance of data standards, qualityframeworks, and operational processes across the Center'sportfolio.
• Ensure effective stewardship of real-world health data,including EHR, registry, claims, imaging, patient-reported, anddigital health data sources.
• Anticipate future infrastructure and data capability needs tosupport emerging research and operational priorities.

25%: Data Delivery Services

• Lead and continuously improve CLHSS data delivery servicessupporting investigators, research teams, operational partners, andexternal collaborators.
• Oversee intake, feasibility assessment, prioritization,resource allocation, and execution of data and analyticrequests.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, compliant, and timely dataproducts, analytic outputs, and research support services.
• Develop service models, workflows, operational metrics, andperformance standards that increase efficiency, transparency, andstakeholder satisfaction.
• Balance competing demands across a diverse portfolio ofclinical research, implementation science, digital health, andoperational improvement initiatives.
• Build scalable processes that support growth while maintainingquality and responsiveness.

25%: AI, Data Science & Digital Health Strategy

• Lead the Center's strategic vision for AI, advanced analytics,data science, and digital health research, including identifyingemerging methods, technologies, infrastructure needs, and fundingmechanisms that advance CLHSS strategic priorities.
• Advise investigators and leadership on opportunities to applyAI, machine learning, computational methods, and digitaltechnologies to improve research impact and healthcaredelivery.
• Galvanize engagement with data science staff and facultycollaborators through varied approaches to build a pool ofexpertise supporting active projects, incubation of ideas, andjoint pursuit of funding.
• Guide methodological decisions regarding appropriate use ofadvanced analytic approaches, balancing scientific rigor,feasibility, scalability, and operational considerations.
• Foster development of reusable analytic frameworks, AI-enabledworkflows, and scalable research solutions.
• Ensure that AI and data science initiatives are grounded instrong governance, ethical principles, transparency, and real-worldimplementation considerations.

20%: People Leadership & OrganizationalDevelopment

• Directly supervise and develop Data Core staff, including datascientists, analysts, and related research personnel.
• Manage staffing plans, role development, recruitment,mentoring, and performance management processes.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture thatpromotes professional growth and accountability.
• Align team goals and resource deployment with evolving Centerand health system priorities.
• Serve as the integrative leader connecting data architecture,data delivery, analytics, AI, and research operations into aunified Learning Health System capability.
• Partner with leaders across CLHSS domains—includingimplementation science, evidence synthesis, pragmatic trials,healthcare improvement, and digital health—to ensure datacapabilities effectively support Center-wide goals.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus 8 years of relatedexperience, or an advanced degree plus 6 years of relatedexperience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategiesthat align data architecture, clinical data management, datadelivery services, and advanced analytics in the healthcare domainincluding capabilities to support research and operationalobjectives.
• At least 2 years of supervisory, managerial, or team leadership experience.
• Experience with clinical and real world health data (e.g., EHR,registries, claims, digital health data) and significant expertisein clinical data terminologies, ontologies and common datamodels.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data architecture, data technologiesand infrastructure, clinical data models and interoperability, datagovernance, and data management practices.
• Strong project, portfolio, and stakeholder management skills,including the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to translatetechnical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with modern analytics and data platforms (e.g.,SQL, R, various LLM solutions, Python, Databricks, Snowflake, orsimilar).
• Commitment to positive team dynamics, client satisfaction, andcreating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
• Self-motivated and self-directed; able to set priorities anddrive results

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
• Experience leading a research data core, analytics team, orshared research infrastructure.
• Experience with AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, andhealthcare data interoperability standards.
• Experience working in an academic health center or healthcaredelivery system.
• Success supporting or securing externally funded research.
• Experience in learning health systems, implementation science,pragmatic trials, digital health, or embedded research.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements related tohealth research (e.g., HIPAA, IRB, FDA).
• Project management certification or equivalent leadershiptraining.

About the Department

The Center for Learning Health System Sciences is a one-of-a-kindpartnership between the Medical School and School of Public Healthwith a goal to decrease the time it takes for science to make itfrom the lab to the clinic in pursuit of better health outcomes forthe patients we serve. CLHSS is composed of a core and fiveprograms spanning the data-knowledge-practice LHS lifecycleincluding evidence synthesis, pragmatic trials, digital health, anddata democratization and model development. CLHSS is committed todiversity, equity, and inclusion in its staffing, operations, andresearch. Learn more about the center by visiting: med.umn.edu/clhss

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range:

$128,000-$149,000 annually ; depending oneducation/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment:

100% Appointment

Work Location:

Hybrid

Position Type:

Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for moreinformation regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package thatincludes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counselingat no cost
• Employee TransitPass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metroarea

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important tonote that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. Thisapproach ensuresthat compensation reflects the value and unique contributions ofeach candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of ourcommitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered toincoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offeringundergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude ofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence &Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-lifeflexibility.