Higher Education Data Scientist – Sample Job Description
Location: Remote / On-site
Excelon Associates is partnering with a leading institution in the higher education sector to seek a Data Scientist. This Data Scientist will play a critical role in analyzing complex datasets to support the institutionās strategic initiatives, enhance student outcomes, and improve institutional effectiveness. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of data analytics, machine learning, and predictive modeling within the context of higher education.
The Higher Education Data Scientist will leverage advanced analytics to drive decision-making processes in academic administration, enrollment management, student retention, and institutional research. The position will focus on collecting, processing, and interpreting large sets of educational data to provide actionable insights. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with various departments to address key institutional challenges and develop data-driven strategies to optimize student success and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collect, analyze, and interpret large educational datasets to identify trends and provide actionable insights for enrollment management, student retention, and institutional performance.
- Develop and deploy machine learning models to predict student outcomes, improve retention rates, and optimize resource allocation.
- Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to understand their data needs and provide tailored analytic solutions.
- Create comprehensive data reports, dashboards, and visualizations to communicate findings to stakeholders in a clear and actionable manner.
- Use predictive analytics to support student success initiatives and enhance academic planning.
- Implement data governance policies and ensure compliance with privacy regulations such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
- Stay current with the latest trends and technologies in higher education data science and apply innovative approaches to solving complex educational challenges.
Required Qualifications:
- Masterās degree or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Proven experience in higher education analytics or institutional research.
- Proficiency in data analytics tools such as Python, R, SQL, and Tableau.
- Strong knowledge of machine learning algorithms and predictive modeling techniques.
- Familiarity with student information systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS).
- Experience with data cleaning, ETL processes, and handling large datasets.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience in enrollment management or institutional research in a higher education setting.
- Understanding of educational data privacy laws (FERPA).
- Knowledge of statistical modeling, data mining, and natural language processing (NLP).
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- Collaborative and innovative work environment.
