Sr Data Scientist

Ascend Learning; Leawood (KS); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision

Life Insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Parental leave

EAP

Headspace access

Airvet access

Charitable matching

Job summary

Ascend Learning is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to drive security analytics across our test portfolio. You will design statistical models, ML pipelines, and dashboards using Snowflake, SQL Server, and Tableau to surface insights for security analysts and psychometricians.

You’ll collaborate with data engineers, IT security, and vendor partners to translate requirements into actionable analytics and deliver executive-ready briefings and reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Educational Measurement, or related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of data analysis or data science with progression in scope.
• Expert-level SQL across Snowflake and SQL Server.
• Proven experience building statistical models and applying ML techniques in production or near-production contexts.
• Proficiency in Python, R, Snowflake ML.
• Experience building and publishing Tableau dashboards for operational and executive audiences.
• Strong communication of complex findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Threat Detection & Behavioral Analysis: design models and ML pipelines to identify suspicious test-taking patterns and fraud at scale.
• Advanced Modeling: build predictive/classification models including logistic regression, clustering, random forest, and NLP flagging.
• Executive Communication: prepare and present findings, dashboards, and security briefings to senior leadership.
• Incident Reporting: author detailed analytical reports with methodologies and recommended actions.
• SQL Development: write/maintain Snowflake SQL and T-SQL across Snowflake/SQL Server.
• Tableau Dashboards: design/maintain dashboards showing security metrics and trends.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: partner with Psychometricians, Data Eng, IT security, vendors.
• Requirements Translation: convert needs into well-defined analytic specs with documentation.

Skills

Threat detection

Advanced modeling

Executive communication

Incident reporting

SQL development

Tableau dashboards

Cross-functional collaboration

Requirements translation

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative field

Master's degree preferred (quantitative)

Tools

Snowflake

SQL Server

Tableau

Python

R

Snowflake ML

Job description

What you’ll do

As a Senior Data Scientist in the Data & Business Intelligence org, you’ll be the analytical engine behind Ascend Learning’s test security function — building the models, reports, and intelligence that empower security analysts and Psychometricians across our portfolio of brands to protect the integrity of every assessment we deliver. You’ll leverage a modern data stack (Snowflake, SQL Server, Tableau) and apply statistical modeling and machine learning to surface insights that drive decisions at the highest levels of the organization, working alongside a team of seasoned data professionals who bring deep expertise across the full data lifecycle.

Where you’ll work

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Leawood, KS or Burlington, MA office preferred. Remote candidates will be considered within the United States.

How you’ll spend your time

• Threat Detection & Behavioral Analysis: Design and implement statistical models, anomaly detection algorithms, and machine learning pipelines to identify suspicious test-taking patterns, proxy testing, impersonation, and item exposure across large-scale assessment datasets.
• Advanced Modeling: Build and maintain predictive and classification models — including logistic regression, clustering, random forest, and NLP-based flagging — to surface security risks and prioritize investigation queues.
• Executive Communication: Independently prepare and present findings, dashboards, and security briefings to senior leadership — translating complex analytical outputs into clear, actionable narratives.
• Incident Reporting: Author detailed analytical reports supporting security investigations, including methodology documentation, evidence summaries, and recommended actions.
• SQL Development: Write and maintain complex Snowflake SQL and T-SQL — stored procedures, views, and optimized queries — across Snowflake and SQL Server environments, integrating data from disparate sources including NoSQL, data lakes, APIs, and external data providers; contributing to EDW Gold layer development for exam security use cases.
• Tableau Dashboards: Design, build, and maintain Tableau dashboards that surface key security metrics, incident trends, and performance indicators for both operational teams and senior leadership.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Psychometricians, Data Engineering, IT security, and remote proctoring vendors to align on analytical requirements, data quality standards, and the technology landscape — ensuring security data is accurate, timely, and fit for analysis.
• Requirements Translation: Convert ambiguous needs from Test Security, IT, Legal, and Operations into well-defined analytical requirements and data specifications, maintaining clear documentation of models and methodologies throughout.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Educational Measurement, or a closely related quantitative field. Master’s degree preferred in a quantitative discipline; familiarity with psychometric methods; experience with remote proctoring platforms; exposure to Medallion/EDW architectures in Snowflake; background in test security, fraud detection, or behavioral analytics at scale
• 5+ years of experience in data analysis or data science with demonstrated progression in technical scope and complexity
• Expert-level SQL across both Snowflake and SQL Server — stored procedures, query optimization, and complex multi-source joins
• Proven experience building statistical models and applying machine learning techniques such as classification, clustering, and anomaly detection in a production or near-production context
• Proficiency in Python, R, Snowflake ML for statistical analysis and model development
• Experience building and publishing Tableau dashboards for operational and executive audiences
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex findings clearly and persuasively to non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership
• Strong business acumen with the ability to prioritize analytical work by impact and translate ambiguous questions into structured analytical frameworks
• Proven experience working cross-functionally with engineering, product, and IT teams and engaging with vendor technologies

Hiring range

The current full-time, annualized base pay hiring range for this role is $138,200.00-$197,560.00. In accordance with applicable state laws, we are providing the expected pay range for this position. Individual compensation will be determined by various factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, current business needs and local market factors. Most regular, full-time employees are eligible to participate in an Ascend incentive bonus or sales plan.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company paid life Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Other wellness programs such as Headspace and Airvet
• Charitable matching program

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.