Data Scientist

Compensation Range:

Position Summary

The Data Scientist is central to the university's data-driven mission. They will mine complex and diverse student datasets to build models that directly impact outcomes across the entire student lifecycle. The initial focus will be on building models to improve student continuation and graduation rates, with opportunities to expand into admissions, academic success, and alumni engagement.

This Data Scientist will leverage our modern data stack (primarily Python and Microsoft Fabric/Synapse) to find relationships, draw conclusions, and make recommendations that will meaningfully improve student success. This is an opportunity to be a foundational member of the data science practice, building and deploying models that make a real difference.

Essential Functions:

• Develops machine learning models and advanced analytics solutions for complex business problems
• Designs and builds scalable solutions to measure the business impact of university initiatives, such as student support services and academic interventions.
• Conducts full-cycle analysis, including requirements gathering, data sourcing, analytical modeling, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Deploys, monitors, and tunes machine learning models using Microsoft Fabric's model lifecycle management capabilities (based on MLFlow).
• Makes appropriate selection, utilization, and interpretation of advanced analytics methodologies (e.g., classification, regression, clustering, causal inference).
• Uses Python visualization libraries (e.g., Matplotlib, Seaborn) for data exploration, quality assurance, and model validation.
• Participates in the continuous improvement of our data science practice by developing replicable solutions, well-documented models, and adhering to CI/CD best practices (e.g., GitHub Actions).
• Aids the organization to consistently be more data-driven and seek actionable insights.
• Seeks further knowledge on key developments within data science, machine learning, and related fields to keep our practice modern and effective.
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or equivalent combination of education and experience, Doctoral degree preferred.
• Two (2) to Five (5) years of work experience in advanced analytics and data science.

• All skills, abilities and education will be considered for minimum qualifications.

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Python and its core data science libraries (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-Learn).
• Proven experience building and deploying machine learning models into a production environment.
• Strong proficiency in writing complex, efficient SQL queries to extract and manipulate data from relational databases and data warehouses.
• Experience with Microsoft's data platform (e.g., Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric) is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with MLOps principles and tools, such as MLFlow, for model lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and its AI/ML tools is a plus.

Location: Remote, USA

Travel: up to 10% travel

#LI-Remote

Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies.  Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family.  For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 4,500 faculty and staff and serves over 45,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our student population, including adult learners and working professionals.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University.