Data Scientist

Key Skills

Analytical and Problem solving, Data Analysis, Data Analytics, Data science techniques, Deep Learning, Effective communication skills, GPUs, Image processing, Leadership, Linux Operating system, Machine learning techniques, Python Programming, R Programming, SAS, Signals, SQL, Stata

Job Description

Position Focus:

Under the direction of Dr. Abigail Friedman, the Data Scientist will carry out difference-in-differences, event study, instrumental variables, and other quasi-experimental research designs to analyze policies’ effects on addictive behaviors, particularly tobacco/nicotine and cannabis use. Responsibilities include managing and maintaining associated policy databases, executing data analyses for funded projects, generating tabular and graphical outputs, contributing to presentations and manuscripts at the level of a coauthor, and helping identify and develop applications for new funding opportunities to expand this work. The successful candidate will have experience executing difference-in-differences analyses, including using newer methods that address concerns about bias from heterogeneous and/or dynamic treatment effects, and will have the capacity to follow that developing literature and learn new methods as they arise.

Code and carry out statistical analyses to estimate policies’ causal effects in collaboration with associated faculty. Generate tables and figures to present results, assumption tests, and other output. Convert parameters into appropriate units as needed. Lead policy database development, maintenance, and source documentation. Ensure compliance with relevant funder policies (e.g., related to data sharing). Oversee proper authorization for IRB approvals, data use agreements, and restricted data access. Secure release of information from restricted data repositories according to regulatory policy. Coordinate across students, staff, and faculty to ensure timely completion of deliverables. Follow literature on new quasi-experimental methods and assumption tests required for causal analysis. Incorporate new methods into projects where relevant.

THE ABOVEMENTIONED DUTIES ARE MOST REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duties

Develop and execute new and/or highly complex algorithms and statistical predictive models and determine analytical approaches and modeling techniques to evaluate potential future outcomes. Establish analytical rigor and statistical methods to analyze large amount of data, using advanced statistical techniques and mathematical analyses. Manage analytical projects from data exploration, model building, performance evaluation, through implementation. Develop work plans and monitor progress and project timelines. Document coding and changes to work plans using established work group methods in GitHub. Interact with a multidisciplinary team of internal and external peers to regularly, effectively, and openly communicate progress and outcomes of planned work. Attend weekly team meetings to discuss team and project-related activities, issues, change, communications, and updates.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in computer science, applied/computational mathematics, engineering, biostatistics, statistics, or a quantitative field such as astronomy or geology, economics, health policy, health services research, public policy, or a related field and two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Mastery of at least one statistical programming language, preferably, STATA.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Familiarity executing quasi-experimental research designs, including newer methods to address heterogeneous and dynamic treatment effects. Capacity to stay abreast of that literature as new methods evolve.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Communication, problem solving, and management skills needed to mentor junior team members, deal well with ambiguity, and act with autonomy.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Strong attention to detail.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

PhD in economics, health policy or public policy preferred. Master’s Degree with extensive related research experience will be considered. Demonstrated interest in and experience studying tobacco/nicotine or addiction policy. Web scraping experience a plus.