Skip to main content

This job has expired

Data Science Specialist

Job Details

Auto req ID

57361BR

Job Code

I1157P IT RC Facilitation Prof III

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Data Science Specialist

Sub-Unit

Social Sciences

Salary Grade

057

Time Status

Full-time

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Additional Qualifications and Skills
  • PhD in a field of social/natural science preferred

  • 3+ years of experience using either Python or R in a data science and/or research context required. 5+ years of this experience preferred.

  • Advanced statistical expertise required. For example, experience fitting and interpreting a range of models, including at least some of: GLM, GLMM, SEM, econometric models, machine learning models.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

  • Familiarity with the research pipeline and the process of conducting research required.

  • Experience using Object-Oriented Programming systems in R (e.g., S3, S4, RC, R6) or Python preferred.

  • Experience with the UNIX command line preferred.

  • Experience with literate programming tools (e.g., Rmarkdown) preferred.

  • Experience with one-to-one consulting in statistics and/or programming preferred.

Additional Information

This is a 2-year term appointment from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

All formal offers will be made by FAS HR.

Department

Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS)

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Job Function

Information Technology

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Basic Qualifications
  • Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience
Working Conditions
  • Occasionally required to work outside of normal business hours, and may be contacted during off hours

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Position Description

The Data Science Services team at the Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS) has been providing statistical, programming, and technology-related research services, as well as software training to researchers at Harvard and MIT for over ten years. The team is central to IQSS’ mission to promote best practices in research, in particular in the social sciences, but extending to a broad set of disciplines in the natural sciences and digital humanities. The team is composed of highly experienced PhD-level data science professionals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets.

Duties:

The Data Science Specialist (DSS) position is part of the IQSS Data Science Services and is responsible for providing:

  1. Short-term consulting services on statistics and programming questions

  2. Longer-term collaboration services designing and implementing data analysis pipelines and scripting in R, Python, or Stata



to researchers --- including faculty, post-docs, and graduate students at Harvard and MIT, across a very broad range of research domains.

The primary role of the DSS will be to help researchers solve problems they encounter during the research pipeline by providing advice in one-to-one consultations. These problems will be varied and multifaceted, but will include the following and many more:

  1. Research study design

  2. Selecting suitable statistical methods and interpreting results from them

  3. Finding alternatives for solving analytical problems

  4. Advising on data management procedures and practices

  5. Assisting with the selection of appropriate software packages

  6. Using cloud computing services to speed up computations



The secondary role of the DSS will be to help researchers design and implement data analysis pipelines for their projects. For this role, the DSS will become embedded in the research team for an extended period of time and will not only provide advice to researchers, but will actually implement many of the statistical and/or programming needs of the project themselves.

To be proactive, this individual must maintain an awareness of new developments in the statistical literature, research technology literature, and in computing software. The DSS will work closely with other team members to identify the programming and technology needs of users.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
  • Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
  • Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
  • Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
  • Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
  • Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
  • Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
  • Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Company

 Harvard FAS

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s PhD. programs (the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872). The 40 academic departments and more than 30 centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert