Data Scientist, Innovation Pathways, FaBA

• Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator’s (FaBA) Innovation Pathways Program: Based in the UQ Business School

• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for 18 months with possibility to extend up to the end of December 2026 , flexible working arrangements may be negotiated

• Base salary will be in the range $100,554.28 - $109,496.46 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 7)

• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity 

The primary purpose of this position is to work with the Innovation Pathways Program Lead and our other Data Scientist and Senior Research Assistants to deliver innovative, high quality and time-driven results. The Data Scientist will be responsible for sourcing and analysing data, generating business insights, creating value and driving evidence-based decisions. These are key activities for the program in order to support the participating companies engaging with FaBA Innovation Pathways.

The Data Scientist will report to Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy. The position will be based at St Lucia in the Business School.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Engineer, prototype, validate and deploy statistical, machine learning models and analytic solutions to solve challenging problems using both R and Python

• Develop and conduct complex statistical analysis plans for research studies, including the application of statistical analysis techniques such as regression, text mining, topic modelling, sentiment analysis, and choice modelling

• Build comprehensive data repositories through the integration of individual data sets which include both primary and secondary data

• Engineer raw data into analysis-ready format and deploy statistical and machine learning models in the cloud to support visualisations and investigations

• Manage complex large-scale datasets, ensuring best-practice data governance and fulfilment of ethical obligations

• Develop and deploy data visualisation tools and dashboard solutions, ensuring high standards of user/customer experience

• Work closely with the graphic designer to design and complete visualisations of data in a clear and concise way for program participants

• Provide statistical consulting to the Innovation Pathways program lead

• Identify data needs and work with stakeholders to identify requirements for customer insights, innovation and commercialisation

• Contribute to project publications including reports, scholarly and industry manuscripts and presentations

• Other activities as required by the Innovation Pathways program lead.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave

• 17% superannuation contributions

• 17.5% annual leave loading

• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• UQ Study for Staff

• On campus childcare options

• Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day)

• Salary packaging options

About You  

• A PhD or masters qualification preferably in Data Science (or a combination of statistics and computer science), or Business, Management, and Marketing

• Experience and knowledge of data science approaches to drive evidence-based business decision making

• Experience working on applied research projects with industry, aligning project tasks with business needs

• Demonstrated capacity to manage and/or support multiple projects concurrently, maintaining ongoing communications and presentations with project stakeholders

• Experience and proficiency in collecting, investigating, manipulating and analysing complex datasets using R and Python programming languages, as well as visualisation tools such as Shiny dashboards and Plotly

• Advanced skills in statistical analysis and machine learning techniques such as natural language processing, large language models, predictive modelling, network analysis, multivariate analysis and choice modelling

• Demonstrated analytical, planning and organisational skills to effectively support a varied program of work

• Relevant experience in conducting research with large-scale primary and secondary datasets

• Demonstrated written communication skills including the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate reports, briefing papers and submissions based on research that provide advice for industry, government and academia

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate, collaborate, consult and negotiate with staff at all levels and across multiple disciplines

• Self-motivated with the ability to work and act both independently and within a team, exercising initiative and managing numerous work priorities in a fast-paced environment

Desirable

• Experience in the food and beverage sector would be an advantage.

• Experience working in a university or research environment would be an advantage.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check, etc. 

Work Rights: 

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Relocating from interstate? We will support you with a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy (j.mccoll-kennedy@business.uq.edu.au). For application queries, please contact talent@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section  

• Resume 

Other Information 

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to talent@uq.edu.au for accessibility support or adjustments.

Applications close Wednesday, 12th February 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-47274).