Data Scientist (Hybrid Eligible)

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Employers By State in 2021.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn’s vaccine requirements, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title

Data Scientist (Hybrid Eligible)

Job Profile Title

Data Analyst D

Job Description Summary

The Data Scientist will provide data management and statistical support for the Philadelphia Economic Equity Project (PEEP) and for a diverse range of research projects within the School of Social Policy and Practice including, but not limited to surveys, clinical trials, observational studies, field experiments, analysis of administrative records, geospatial data, and unstructured data such social media or other written text. They will contribute to study design and protocol development and will write statistical methods and analysis sections for grant proposals. The Data Scientist will be responsible for regular meetings and coordination with the survey research firm and estimating the sample weights for PEEP. Additionally, the Data Scientist will document and summarize results of research findings, and will write statistical methods sections for presentation and publications, including peer review, white papers, and public data reports to external stakeholders in philanthropy, government, and non-profits. The position may will supervise and provide mentorship to junior core personnel including research staff and students who assist with data cleaning and management. The Data Scientist will have experience managing multiple projects and work simultaneously. This role will also provide in-depth quantitative consultation, expertise, and support for faculty research projects within SP2 as needed, acting as a highly specialized expert level resource.

Philadelphia Economic Equity Project (PEEP) is a newly formed initiative embedded within the Partnership for Social and Economic Mobility. Philadelphia is one of three cities (New York; Columbia, NC; Philadelphia) undertaking data collection in a way that reflects the priorities of community partners, decision makers, and researchers. This localized approach is responsive to the shifting nature of poverty and economic mobility, and the need for local responses to fight poverty and promote economic mobility. PEEP is based at the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania and builds on the foundational work of the Columbia University / Robin Hood Foundation Poverty Tracker survey. This position will participate in designing research development and data-collection plans and coordinating their implementation with research partners at Columbia University, Johnson C. Smith University, and others.

This position requires limited travel and is contingent upon grant funding.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Assist investigators with study design and grant proposal development and preparation by writing the data analysis plan and the Statistical Methods and power analysis sections. Participate in study protocol development. Communicate with investigators and other researchers to understand data requirements for ongoing research projects. Develop, design, and write new and/or revised statistical programs and modeling to meet these needs.
• Independently manage databases for assigned research projects; evaluate and ensure statistical integrity, accuracy and validity of research data; estimate sample weight for the PEEP sample; oversee the work of research staff and students who assist with data cleaning and management. Clean, analyze, and interpret research data using modeling, descriptive statistics, basic inferential tests, and advanced statistical and computational procedures. Document methods and results and provides statistical summaries and reports.
• Write and edit statistical methods sections for abstracts, manuscripts, journal articles, technical reports, and other materials for publication and/ or presentation to external stakeholders.
• Attend project meetings, read, and evaluate statistical papers and other relevant literature, establish and maintain relationships with potential funders.
• As needed, provide consultation and statistical support for other SP2 Standing Faculty and Research Centers.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelors and 3 - 5 years of experience required. PhD strongly preferred with experience in computational social science, statistics, biostatistics or related quantitative field with considerable knowledge and command of at least one of the following programming languages: R, Python, SAS or Stata, required or equivalent combination of education and experience required. At least 2 years of independent experience as a data scientist, statistician, or biostatistician in managing and analyzing large, complex, high dimensional datasets and in utilizing statistical software packages required; experience preparing grant applications and writing research reports preferred. Additional coursework in social science, social work, social policy, economics, epidemiology, and/or public health considered a plus. Experience with conducting RCTs in field experiments or clinical trials considered a plus.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hybrid Eligible - This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a work week divided between working onsite and working remotely.

The anticipated salary range for this position is 70k – 95k; commensurate with education and experience.

Department / School

School of Social Policy and Practice

Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $132,906.66

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay