Data Scientist / Data Resource Analyst II

Working/Functional Title

Data Scientist

Position Summary

International Studies and Programs (ISP) supports MSU global learning and international engagement under the MSU Strategic Plan 2030 in the areas of research, teaching, and outreach. To fulfill its main objectives, ISP communicates key international data to university leadership and the public and serve as a campus-wide analytical resource. ISP manages MSU’s International Data Portals, which provide visualizations of MSU's Externally Funded International Projects, International Student Enrollment, Education Abroad, International Agreements Data, and International Research Collaboration. These dashboards utilize Tableau, Tableau Prep, and SQL Oracle to draw from MSU’s electronic data warehouse (EDW). International Studies and Programs (ISP) collaborates with units across campus to streamline and upgrade the international data plan.

ISP is seeking a Data Scientist who is curious, creative, and can see both the big picture and work with attention to detail. The successful candidate will have strong technical, interpersonal and communication skills to convey findings to various audiences and positively influence university leadership. The Data Scientist will need to articulate complex issues to a non-technical audience clearly and effectively. Daily activities may include development of data representations and visualizations, advising on predictive models and creating easy to understand reports and dashboards. This will be a full-time (100% FTE) 12-month fixed-term position funded for one year with the possibility of reappointments depending on funding and performance.

ISP is currently operating under a hybrid modality structure, with staff working three days in person and two days remote. ISP values individual and group differences and encourages applicants who will contribute to a culture of inclusion on campus.

Primary responsibilities include:

 Data Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present data and findings in a clear, comprehensive, and effective manner
• Conduct internal and external benchmarking analysis for ISP
• Develop and design reports and dashboards in Tableau

 Support Data-Driven Decision Making

• Consult with and support ISP leadership and units by pulling and analyzing data
• With ISP leadership, collaborate with other campus units on communicating, building, and evaluating data tools and streamlining data reporting
• Provide analysis and decision support for university international initiatives, projects, and planning as needed
• Provide training/capacity development support for ISP units in various data-related topics
• Represent ISP on university-wide data-related committees
• Keep apprised of trends and conversations about data in higher education and international education

 Database Management and Development

• Build custom SQL to meet reporting requirements and manage ISP International Data Portals
• Perform query tuning and root cause analysis to optimize database performance and correct errors
• Develop SQL to create database tables, views, and stored procedures to support data storage and report development 
• Provide targeted training on tools and platforms when necessary

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in statistics, computational science, a social science discipline, or related field including other degrees with a strong quantitative emphasis
• Three to five years of post-graduate work experience in data mining, data warehousing, data science, data management, as well as data analysis and visualization
• Experience writing advanced SQL queries; expertise with Oracle PL/SQL, expertise with Tableau
• Experience using data retrieval and manipulation, and expertise in statistical tools (such as SAS, SQL, STATA, R, D3, Python) and data visualization tools (such as Tableau and Tableau Prep)
• Demonstrated success in managing collaborative projects involving cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication skills including presenting, editing, and writing, as well as ability to demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy

Desired Qualifications

• Doctorate in statistics, computational science, a social science discipline, or related field with a strong quantitative emphasis
• Proven excellence in program or project management
• Experience working in a university setting and in-depth knowledge of university administrative organization, policies, procedures, and practices for institutional research-oriented roles
• Experience managing higher education related data (student, research, business support systems)
• Understanding of data warehouse technologies (Oracle preferred) and familiarity with data integration processes using enterprise ETL tools (DataStage preferred) and the role of data stewardship
• Ability to model and analyze data in statistical tools (SPSS, R, SAS, Python, or similar) combined with experience integrating large datasets from a variety of sources; experience with ETL tools (DataStage, Informatica)
• Ability to work closely with clients to build custom dashboards, conduct data analysis to support ISP centers and other units, as well as develop and streamline data reporting
• Make data-informed recommendations to administrators to contribute to decision making   

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

one year from date of hire

Website

https://www.isp.msu.edu/

Bidding eligibility ends October 22, 2024 at 11:55 P.M.