Staff Data Scientist & AI Researcher

University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago seeks a Staff Data Scientist to support diverse research projects, designing algorithms and AI/ML workflows for translational data science. You will harmonize data from multiple sources, visualize data, and develop tools for large-scale data analysis in collaborative settings.

Ideal candidates have extensive experience in Python/R and open-source platforms, with strong communication skills and a track record mentoring teams and advancing data-driven research.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Advanced degree strongly preferred in a quantitative field.

Responsibilities

• Lead interpretation of data from multiple sources.
• Develop and maintain software programs, notebooks, scripts for data transformation and analysis.
• Build, validate and evaluate AI/ML models.
• Lead data science projects and share best practices with peers.

Skills

Python

R

ML

Data Visualization

Open-source

Cloud Environments

Education

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or relevant field

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Gen3

NCI Genomic Data Commons

AWS / GCP

Job description

Department BSD CTD - Data Science

About the Department

The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. Learn more at https://gdc.cancer.gov/ https://gen3.org/ https://stats.gen3.org/ and https://ctds.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary

The Center for Translational Data Science at the University of Chicago is seeking a Staff Data Scientist to support a diverse range of research projects. Data Scientists work in a collaborative interdisciplinary team and play a critical role in AI/ML tooling, features, and improvements for our open-source software systems and applications, analyzing data, and in understanding and representing user requirements to internal and external stakeholders in our translational data science projects and products. Under the leadership of team or project leads, a person in this position will be a key contributor to the design and implementation of algorithms, AI/ML models, and workflows to enable the discovery of valuable information in large volumes of data from various sources; organizes, harmonizes, and analyzes data sets and develops tools to assist such processes; uses various technologies to visualize data or enable data visualization; and creates applications of general value to the project and prototype. The job uses best practices and advanced knowledge of data manipulation, statistical applications, programming, analysis and modeling in order to implement projects related to the University's various internal data systems as well as from external sources. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Recruitment Process

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

Responsibilities

• Leading the Interpretation of data from multiple sources.
• Developing and implementing software programs and services, software notebooks and software scripts for data transformation, data integration, data analysis and data visualization.
• Building, validating and evaluating AI/ML models.
• Contributing to and taking a leadership role in the enhancement and maintenance of previously developed in-house open-source data platforms, systems, applications and notebooks.
• Performing various types of analysis involving multiple data sets.
• Leading data science projects and initiatives within purview, by relaying data analysis and model deployment best practices, enhancing the technical knowledge of peers, and helping develop data science skills in junior employees and interns.
• Leading the conceptualization, design, and execution of sophisticated data science projects and AI/ML solutions for research and production environments.
• Establish and enforce data governance, quality assurance processes, and operational protocols for large, complex data sets from internal and external sources.
• Assisting in providing leadership for design of user-facing computational resources.
• Serving as a reference for staff, faculty members, and Gen3 users as a technical subject matter expert by applying principles of data science to define and scope data science projects that involve developing computational tools and services for data engineering, data manipulation, statistical analysis, and modeling.
• Collaborating closely with faculty, researchers, and stakeholders to translate scientific and user requirements into actionable data science strategies and solutions.
• Stay current with developments in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields, and adopt new methods and technologies to advance research goals.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and project results clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, and present findings at internal and external forums.
• Has a deep understanding of methods to analyze complex data sets for the purpose of extracting and purposefully using applicable information.
• May develop and maintain infrastructure that connects data sets.
• Guides staff or faculty members in defining the project and applies principals of data science in manipulation, statistical applications, programming, analysis and modeling.
• Calibrates data between large and complex research and administrative datasets.
• Guides and may set the operational protocols for collecting and analyzing information from the University's various internal data systems as well as from external sources.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

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Preferred Qualifications

Education

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or a relevant quantitative field.

Experience

Experience working in data science roles, preferably in an academic, research, or health/science environment. Experience with collaborative open-source projects and software engineering best practices. Experience working in multi-disciplinary academic teams. Knowledge of biomedical and translational research data sources is a significant advantage. Knowledge of hardware specifications required for AI/ML research and projecting resource needs and use in public clouds environments like AWS and GCP. Knowledge of and experience with data and applications of interest to CTDS, including, but not necessarily limited to, AI data commons, AI data meshes, Gen3, NCI Genomic Data Commons, cancer genomics, biomedical imaging data, human clinical data. Expertise in designing and implementing machine learning, deep learning, and statistical models for research and production. Experience with biomedical data. Experience collaborating on manuscripts and submitting papers for peer-reviewed, scientific publications.

Preferred Competencies

• Advanced skills in problem solving and quantitative/qualitative analysis.
• Able to organize and prioritize work assignments to meet project needs and work independently to identify and address needs beyond assigned tasks.
• Strong communication skills to effectively convey complex findings while serving as a reference and subject matter expert for staff, faculty members, and Gen3 users.
• Ability to quickly comprehend requirements and assignments and then explain his/her solutions in both writing and speech.
• Ability to learn new skills quickly and manage complex projects.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and other relevant programming languages; experience with open-source data science platforms, technologies, and cloud environments.
• Outstanding analytical, problem-solving, and project management abilities.
• Proven track record mentoring and leading project teams and communicating technical issues to diverse audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Working Conditions

Hybrid office/remote.

Job Family

Research 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 $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 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.

Security Report

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.

Report Copies

Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

About the University

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.