Project Data Coordinator

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Data Systems Analyst at UCSB's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) manages ecologically and environmentally relevant data from Arctic Data Center projects and other funded work. The role involves coordinating data providers, editing metadata, and performing analyses to ensure data quality for synthesis.

You will mentor graduate interns and fellows, collaborate with informatics staff to streamline workflows, and contribute to data science training for the Arctic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental, ecological, or related field with data management experience.
• Experience with R or Matlab for statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• 55% Data Management — gather, document, and archive data and metadata for reuse by researchers.
• 20% Tool Development — develop tools for data quality and automated metadata creation.
• 25% Coordination — supervise interns/fellows and coordinate data management tasks.

Skills

English communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental/ecological/data management

Master's degree desirable

Tools

R

Matlab

Job description

Job Details

Job ID: 87917

Location: UCSB Campus

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Job Posting Details

Position Number: 40072653

Payroll Title: DATA SYS ANL 2 TX (005453)

Job Code: 005453

Job Open Date: 08/04/2026

Application Review Begins: 8/19/26

Department Code (Name): NCEA (CENTER ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): TX - Technical Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $36/hour. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $36 to $64.07/ hour.

Work Location: 1021 Anacapa Street

Working Days and Hours: M-F 8am-4pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid

Department Marketing Statement

Established in 1995, the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) is a research center of the University of California, Santa Barbara and was the first national synthesis center of its kind. There is broad acknowledgement that NCEAS has significantly altered the way ecological science is conducted, towards being more collaborative, open, integrative, relevant, and technologically informed. Different from the scientific tradition of solitary lab or fieldwork, NCEAS fosters collaborative synthesis research - assembling interdisciplinary teams to distill existing data, ideas, theories, or methods drawn from many sources, across multiple fields of inquiry, to accelerate the generation of new scientific knowledge at a broad scale. NCEAS is located in downtown Santa Barbara in a beautiful city filled with activities -- downtown, on the beaches, and in the mountains. NCEAS is committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in science. We value diversity in expertise, backgrounds, needs and experiences, and aim to see diversity reflected among our residents and visitors. We are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for everyone in our community.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties

The Data Systems Analyst manages ecologically and environmentally relevant data from the Arctic Data Center and other funded projects at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS). The analyst contacts data providers and consults the literature to manage and archive data of moderate complexity for preservation. This includes gathering and analyzing information from data providers and editing metadata to make the data understandable and useful for synthesis activities. The analyst also performs a wide variety of analysis and data modeling activities to assess and remedy data quality issues, as well as characterize and visualize data for synthesis. The analyst works closely with the Director of Informatics Research and Development to identify issues that need attention to streamline the data management process, with NCEAS' Scientific Programmers to implement approaches to streamline data management operations, and with researchers from targeted projects to archive data and metadata. The analyst also organizes and mentors graduate student interns and fellows who contribute to the data management goals of the Center, and participates in data science training activities serving the Arctic research and other NCEAS communities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in environmental, ecological, or related research fields involving data management
• Demonstrable experience working in one or more scripted statistical frameworks such as R or Matlab Required
• Qualified candidates must have excellent writing and speaking skills in English allowing communication of complex technical topics with a science audience.
• Must have strong organizational skills, strong problem solving skills, and be service oriented.
• Knowledge of data management systems, practices, and standards, and demonstrable statistical analysis and modeling skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in environmental, ecological, or related science fields is desirable, as is extensive knowledge and skill in data management, metadata standards, data standards, R, statistics, and modeling.
• Skill in other programming languages is desirable
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• Position is funded by federal contract/sub-contract and requires E-Verify check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Special Conditions of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time

• 55% Data Management - Works with data support team members and with scientists from targeted research projects and working groups to gather, document, and archive scientific research data and metadata records. Formats research data and authors structured metadata to construct useful documentation supporting data re-use by other researchers and/or project teams.
• 20% Tool Development - Assists in developing tools for data and metadata quality analysis, automated metadata creation and deposit, or documenting data semantics. Development of tools involves working in concert with data and computer scientists to test and devise the best user interfaces to service the environmental science community. These tools facilitate the processes surrounding documentation, analysis, and interpretation of environmental data
• 25% Coordination - Coordinates data management activities among staff, interns, and fellows working on related projects, recruitment and supervision of 2-4 interns quarterly as needed and 4-6 fellows annually or bi-annually, and training and mentoring of their work on data management tasks.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy
*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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