Senior Data Scientist

Senior Data Scientist

School of Public Health, Brown University

The Senior Data Scientist gathers, processes, and analyzes large sets of structured and unstructured data. The data scientist's role combines computer science, social science, statistics, and mathematics. The position involves a combination of data processing, analyzing, and interpreting data to create actionable plans in conjunction with members of the research team. The Senior Data Scientist is an analytical expert who utilizes skills in both technology and social science to find trends and manage data.

They use industry knowledge, contextual understanding, skepticism of existing assumptions to uncover solutions to research challenges. The work typically involves making sense of unstructured data, from sources such as wearables (e.g., smart devices), self‑reported questionnaires, interviewer‑administered surveys, social media feeds, blood draws, and geographical information that don't neatly fit into a database. The Senior Data Scientist facilitates the collection, processing, and analysis of research data collected from large‑scale studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, other government funding agencies, and foundations.

The studies use diverse research designs, and the Senior Data Scientist's role is to be capable of responding to an ever‑changing set of needs as project methodologies and research sponsor priorities evolve. This requires often needing to solve “new problems” and then guide and supervise others in enacting and maintaining these solutions. The Senior Data Scientist must interface and consult with SPH faculty and their research staff, and thus high‑level service and interpersonal skills are also required.

Master's Degree (Computer Information Science, Science, Information Technology) and three (3) to five (5) years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience managing a variety of types of human subjects' data, including prospective data collection, data from wearable technologies, medical record data, self‑reported survey responses, GIS‑coded data, and physiological measurements.

Extensive experience creating and maintaining participant tracking systems and providing training to study staff on how to use these systems.

Strong software proficiency required (REDCap and/or Qualtrics; Microsoft Access and/or SQL; SAS, Stata, SPSS, and/or R) with willingness to learn and utilize new software applications as needed.

• Knowledge of public health research; research study design; participant location, recruitment, and retention.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities and deadlines, and an eagerness to take ownership of challenging and open‑ended assignments.
• Efficient time management skills.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• High‑level service and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage data, support team members and anticipate hiring needs as they arise.
• Effectively works independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and high level of organization required.
• Effective at communicating with audiences whose statistical and technical backgrounds vary widely.

This is a hybrid position.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification that are satisfactory to Brown University.

This is a fixed‑term position with a current end date of 3/31/2027 which may be extended based upon available funding.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Brown is an E‑Verify Employer.

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person's race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance.

The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.