Data Scientist

Key Skills

Biostatistics, Data Analytics, Data science techniques, Data Visualization, Database, Effective communication skills, Finance, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Python Programming, R Programming, SAS, SQL, Statistics

Job Description

The Data Scientist will provide analytical expertise to the Immigrant Health research program and other IPL projects as needed. Working closely with the Faculty Co-Directors, Program Manager, and other program staff, the Data Scientist will be responsible for organizing, creating, managing, and updating datasets, assuring data and analysis meet rigorous replication standards, and exploring new and creative data collection and analytical methods. The Data Scientist will work closely with faculty and staff to develop research designs, conduct and interpret analysis (including replications), implement algorithms, and oversee the work of postdocs and graduate students. We are looking for candidates who have the ability, experience, and enthusiasm to be the data and statistical leader for research projects focused on developing algorithms and employing experimental and quasi-experimental methods, while lending support to other lab projects as needed.

IPL is a highly collaborative environment. The Data Scientist will have the opportunity to co-author papers envisioned to appear in top journals that report on the results of the studies, as well as work with an array of affiliated faculty from top institutions. Examples of previous studies produced by the lab include projects on the intergenerational impact of DACA on the mental health of children (Science), and improving refugee integration through data-driven algorithmic assignment (Science). 

This is a 100% FTE, 1 year fixed term exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.

In this role, you will:

• Act as the data and statistical leader across a variety of research projects.
• Prioritize and extract data from a variety of sources such as notes, survey results, medical data, and other big data sources, determine and maintain its accuracy and completeness.
• Determine additional data collection and reporting requirements.
• Design and customize analytical reports based upon data in the database. Oversee and monitor regulatory compliance for utilization of the data.
• Use system reports and analyses to identify potentially problematic data, make corrections, and eliminate root cause for data problems or justify solutions to be implemented by others.
• Create complex charts and databases, perform statistical analyses, and develop graphs and tables for publication and presentation.
• Serve as a resource for non-routine inquiries such as requests for statistics or surveys.
• Test prototype software and participate in approval and release process for new software.
• Provide documentation based on audit and reporting criteria to investigators and research staff.
• Co-author academic articles and policy briefs.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) is highly desired.
• Experience in a quantitative discipline such as economics, finance, statistics, political science, computer science, engineering, health economics, or biostatistics.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Mastery of R.
• Knowledge of causal inference methods.
• Experience with cloud-based computing systems such as Google Cloud Platform.
• Commitment to and alignment with IPL’s mission and immigration or health related policy questions in the United States.
• Demonstrated ability to manage work across many different projects simultaneously, learn skills quickly and efficiently, work well within collaborative and cross-functional team settings, and be highly accountable to deadlines and partner needs.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical partner organizations

In addition, highly desired requirements include:

• PhD or advanced degree in Economics, Statistics, or a related field.
• Knowledge of mathematical optimization.
• Experience with additional statistical softwares such as Stata, Sql, SAS, and/or Python.
• Experience working with a medical claims data.
• Experience working with survey data, administrative data, and US Census data.
• Knowledge of immigration policy and related academic literature.
• Relevant social science research knowledge.
• Experience creating data visualizations for academic publications as well as broad public audiences.
• Demonstrated experience managing a wide range of projects and collaborating across various groups and people.