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Data Scientist, Department of Institutional Research

Employer
Wake Forest University
Location
Winston Salem, NC

Job Details

Job location: Winston Salem, NC


Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2020-11-30
Req: R0002905
Please note:
  • Additional documentation must be added at the bottom of the third screen under the "My Experience."
  • Internal candidates must apply via the internal career portal. Do not proceed with your application from this website.
  • DO NOT complete the application without the required attachments as you will be unable to edit your application.
** Cover letter required for all positions and optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality positions unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

The Data Scientist will play a key role in the discovery of knowledge and insights through quantitative and qualitative research for the success of Wake Forest University (WFU). They will be responsible for translating student, faculty, and staff data into clear, usable, actionable information that supports the crafting and execution of university strategies. The primary responsibilities of the Data Scientist generally fall into one of the three areas of effort: 1) knowledge discovery through analysis of data, 2) visualize and communicate information derived from data to a broad-range of campus stakeholders, and 3) serving as contributor, technical resource, and trainer to university data-analytics community.

Job Description

* Please note, the estimated start date for this position is March 1st, 2021.

Essential Functions:

Data Analytics (50%)

  • Uses database query tools, statistical and analytical software, and data discovery tools to extract, manipulate, and analyze data, trends, and patterns.

  • Collaborates with various internal clients (e.g. directors, faculty, and administrators) to understand their information needs and develops innovative, effective data analysis solutions which minimize bias. In some instances provides data-based evidence proving or disproving a hunch or hypothesis.

  • Designs, develops, trains, and tests predictive models to identify and prioritize outcomes to the campus using a variety of data mining and advanced statistical analysis techniques.

  • Reviews gaps in data and researches/recommends the adaptation of relevant datasets, research methods, and/or software tools to better perform data analytics and deliver results.

  • Researches and recommends new segmentation strategies including behavioral and psychographic segmentation methods utilizing behavioral data from activity, survey, and other relevant data.

  • Maintains proficiency and continuously develops expertise in new developments in the data mining domain including methods, tools, and software.

  • Collects and integrates external data sets with internal data elements for analysis to understand underlying patterns and trends.

  • Benchmarks analysis comparing WFU data with data from comparable, peer institutions.

  • Utilizes text mining algorithms to analyze textual data and finds patterns in textual datasets like open-ended survey items or focus group transcripts.

Data Visualization and Communication (35%)

  • Uses data visualization and reporting tools to display and summarize data, trends, and patterns.

  • Clearly communicates and accurately presents methodology and results of analyses to various internal audiences using a variety of visual, written, and/or verbal formats.

  • Researches and implements new visualization tools and methods to uncover insights in data and showcase facts in greater detail.

Training (15%)

  • Teaches/presents seminars to University BI/Analytics team and other co-workers on analytics and visualization.

  • Serves as a technical resource and mentor for the cross-functional University analytics community.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Informatics, or related field with three to four years of experience analyzing and synthesizing complex data sets to produce highly readable, informative reports, and presentations.

  • Exceptional deductive and inductive reasoning skills and understanding of the potential fallacy with weak induction.

  • Creative thinker who proposes innovative and inclusive ways to look at problems using data mining.

  • Demonstrated experience in statistical analysis and modeling techniques including probability and statistical models, Bayesian models, forecasting techniques, time series and trend analysis, analysis of variance and multivariate analysis, factor analysis, hypothesis testing, etc.

  • Experience with predictive models and machine learning techniques such as clustering, regression, artificial neural networks, decision trees, etc.

  • Advanced knowledge of SAS (Base, Enterprise Miner, Enterprise Guide, and/or Visual Analytics), R, or SPSS.

  • Demonstrated advanced knowledge of Power BI or similar software to create visualizations for web publication, presentations, etc.

  • Ability to clearly communicate and accurately present methodology and results of analyses to various technical and non-technical internal audiences using a variety of visual, written and/or verbal formats.

  • Collaborate effectively with co-workers representing a variety of perspectives to create an inclusive workplace.

  • Self-motivated with a strong orientation for customer service.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Advanced degree with two to three years of experience in an academic or industry-related setting; analyzing and synthesizing complex data sets to produce highly readable, informative reports, and presentations.

  • Experience in the higher education domain or possess a strong enthusiasm to learn about higher education operations and understand how analytics is currently disrupting operations at other institutions.

  • Knowledge of relevant software for extracting, managing, and manipulating.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full timeNote to Applicant:This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.

Organization

Wake Forest University, formed in 1834, has experienced decades of growth and innovation.  WFU is a distinctive university that combines a liberal arts core with graduate and professional schools and innovative research programs.  The University embraces the teacher-scholar ideal, which prizes the personal interaction between students and faculty.  It is a place where exceptional teaching, fundamental research and discovery, and the engagement of faculty and students in the classroom and the laboratory are paramount.

Wake Forest University is a community that seeks the enlightenment and freedom which come through diligent study and learning. Its higher goal, however, is to give life to the University motto "Pro Humanitate," as members translate a passion for knowledge into compassionate service. The community shares a tradition that embraces freedom and integrity and acknowledges the worth of the individual. The heritage, established by the school's founders and nurtured by succeeding generations, promotes a democratic spirit arising from open-mindedness and discourse. Wake Forest fosters compassion and caring for others. Its collective strength and character are derived from the values and distinctive experiences of each individual; therefore, it affirms the richness of human intellect and culture and its contribution to knowledge, faith, reason, and dialogue. Furthermore, it strives toward a society in which good will, respect, and equality prevail. To that end, Wake Forest University rejects hatred and bigotry in any form and promotes justice, honor, and mutual trust.​

The University is comprised of:  the undergraduate college, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, and School of Medicine (located on the Bowman Gray campus with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center) and today enrolls about 4,846 undergraduates and 2,823 students in graduate programs at its principal location, the Reynolda campus.  Students at Wake Forest University enjoy a great deal of access to and interaction with world-class faculty both in and out of the classroom setting with a student-faculty ratio of 11:1.  Wake Forest employs approximately 2,772 full and part-time faculty and staff.

Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the fifteen-team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).  Since its founding, the university has adopted the motto “pro humanitate,” which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world. Wake Forest has a strong commitment to holistic, eight-dimensional well-being for students, faculty and staff as evidenced in the Thrive initiative.

Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest is located in Winston-Salem, NC, a beautiful, mid-sized city centrally located in the Piedmont-Triad region of North Carolina.  Winston-Salem is a family-friendly city with high quality schools, numerous outdoor recreational activities and events, and is known for its vibrant and thriving arts scene.

Winston-Salem residents enjoy close proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains (1.5 hours) and Atlantic beaches (4 hours), a moderate climate with four distinct seasons, a very reasonable cost of living, and an eclectic variety of restaurants, wine bars, and breweries for dining with friends and family.  Winston-Salem offers many of the amenities of a large city but with the sense of community and quality of life of a smaller town (www.visitwinstonsalem.com).

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