Data Scientist

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Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

The Harvard Data Science Initiative seeks a Data Scientist to lead the data science, software development, and technical product work for an interdisciplinary research program focused on data centers, artificial-intelligence infrastructure, and their environmental, health, economic, and societal impacts.

Working closely with faculty investigators, research scientists, and domain experts, the Data Scientist will develop and translate original scientific research into rigorous analytical workflows, scalable research software, and accessible data products. The position will lead the technical development of these products while also co-leading the underlying research, from study design and analysis through peer-reviewed publication.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the data science and software development of research products across multiple faculty-led projects.
• Co-lead original research with faculty investigators and subject-matter experts, including the formulation of research questions, study design, analysis, interpretation, and publication.
• Ensure that research software and data products are grounded in rigorous in-house scientific research and support the production of peer-reviewed publications.
• Translate scientific objectives and research findings into technical requirements, analytical strategies, software architecture, and product roadmaps.
• Design and implement statistical, machine-learning, and geospatial analyses using large environmental, health, energy, infrastructure, and socioeconomic datasets.
• Lead the development and maintenance of data pipelines, databases, research software, APIs, interactive platforms, and decision-support tools.
• Make technical decisions related to architecture, scalability, testing, documentation, reproducibility, deployment, and data governance.
• Lead and contribute to scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, technical reports, conference presentations, and other academic outputs.
• Coordinate technical contributors, mentor junior researchers, and establish best practices for scientific programming and reproducible research.
• Communicate research findings and product capabilities to academic, policy, industry, and public audiences.

This is a benefits-eligible, one-year term appointment with possibility of extension, contingent on funding and performance.

Working Conditions:

• Occasionally required to work outside of normal business hours and may be contacted during off hours

Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

• PhD in artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, statistics, computational science, engineering, environmental health, epidemiology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of combined advanced education and relevant professional or research experience, including doctoral training.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Established record of substantive original research published in leading, high-impact peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Advanced expertise in scientific programming, data science, statistical or machine-learning methods, and complex data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience co-leading interdisciplinary research from study conception through peer-reviewed publication.
• Demonstrated experience leading the development of production-quality research software, data platforms, analytical pipelines, or interactive products.
• Experience working collaboratively with faculty-led research teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple research and technical projects and deliver reliable, reusable, and well-documented outputs.
• Excellent scientific writing, technical communication, collaboration, and project-management skills.

• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity
• Other Information:
  • This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.
  • Interview process: Our interview process may include both virtual interviews via Zoom and in-person interviews. Selected finalists may be asked to participate in an in-person interview.  
  • This is a benefits-eligible, one year term appointment with possibility of extension,  contingent on funding and performance.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.