Data Scientist, RegLab

Key Skills

Algorithms, Data Architecture, Data Mining, Data Modeling, Data science techniques, Data structuring, Database, Design, Econometrics, Effective communication skills, Machine learning techniques, Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Job Description

The Regulation, Evaluation, and Governance Lab (RegLab) at Stanford University is looking for a Data Scientist to work across our research programs. This role will collaborate closely with teams of research fellows and students on projects related to machine learning and the public sector. We are looking for someone who is a self-learner, research-oriented, and excited by the mission of the Lab.

About us: Stanford RegLab is a social impact lab that partners with government and nonprofits to use machine learning and data science to modernize the public sector. We are an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, data scientists, social scientists, and engineers who are passionate about building high impact demonstration projects for the future of governance. Some of our partners include the EPA, IRS, DOL, and Santa Clara County Public Health.

As a Data Scientist at RegLab, you will:

• Help design, develop, and support machine learning models, algorithms, statistical models, and other programs designed to improve the public sector.
• Lead the collection of new data and the refinement of existing data sources. Work withlarge untapped data sets, including: health and environmental enforcement data, mass adjudication records, high-resolution satellite imagery (15cm/pixel), and the largest publicly available corpus of legal text.
• Implement and interpret the results of new experiments and studies in partnership with government agencies, researchers, non-profits, or other stakeholders.
• Lead testing, release, and maintenance processes and collaborate with technical staff to standardize and systemize data standards, elements, and metrics.
• Help mentor students and other members of the lab as needed.

Core Classification Duties:

• Work under consultative or self-initiated direction to assess and produce relevant, standard, or custom information (reports, charts, graphs and tables) from structured data sources by querying data repositories and generating the associated information. Distribute and disseminate reports to applicable agencies, researchers, management and other internal end-users.
• Devise methods for identifying data patterns, trends in available information sources using a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Determine and recommend additional data collection and reporting requirements.
• Design and customize reports based upon data in the database.
• Create non-routine databases and their related information summary; develop algorithms and statistical models; and perform statistical analyses appropriate to complex data and reporting requirements.
• Lead the implementation of data standards and common data elements for data collection.
• Collaborate with technical staff to standardize and systemize routine reports, dashboards, and metrics.
• Test prototypes and participate in approval and release process for new tools.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant quantitative field (e.g., data science, computer science, statistics, engineering, mathematics, economics, or a related field) and three years of relevant professional experience or a combination of education and relevant professional experience
• Basic knowledge of software engineering principles and strong knowledge of at least one programming language, such as Python, R, and/or SQL) 
• In-depth knowledge and experience using and applying analytical software, database management system software, database reporting software, database user interface and query software, and data mining software.
• Basic statistical ability.
• Strong listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple activities in a deadline-oriented environment; highly organized, flexible and rigorous attention to detail.
• Ability to work with data of varying levels of quality and validity.
• Demonstrated ability to produce data in a clear and understandable manner meeting user requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple internal and external customers.
• Ability to take a leadership role on projects and with users/clients.

Application Instructions: We invite you to apply by clicking on the Apply for Job button. To be considered, please submit the following items along with your online application:

• CV
• Project and code samples or Github
• Transcript (if graduated within 3 years)

Salary and Benefits: This position is for an initial one-year fixed term period with the opportunity for extension and/or transition to ongoing status based on performance and budget. 

The expected pay range for this position is $87,000 to $126,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.