Data Scientist

Position Title:

Data Scientist

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

Bucknell University seeks a data scientist to join the Dominguez Center for Data Science (DCDS), the campus hub for data science practice and support. As an integral member of this new center, the data scientist will help expand Bucknell’s data science initiatives, support efforts to educate students across disciplines in the field of data science, and shape the future of the Center. They will collaborate on cross-college data science projects, create pathways for community engagement, and mentor students participating in the JoAnn Patrick-Ezzell '75 & Andrew Ezzell Data Science Student Fellows Program program. They will also supervise student workers in the Center, develop workshops and events, and support outreach efforts to promote data science on-campus and in the local community. This position will report to the Center director and will receive mentoring from the director and DCDS faculty and staff fellows. The data scientist will also have the opportunity to attend conferences and other professional development activities related to data science and AI.

This position is donor-funded through June, 2029, and is renewable pending additional funding. It is a priority for Bucknell to secure funding to make this position permanent.

Job Duties:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the data science expert who provides support on the entire data science process (question formulation, data acquisition, data wrangling and summarization, visualization, modeling, and communication of findings) and mentors the student collaborators. 

• Supervise and mentor student workers providing coding and data science support.  Coach student workers on the best practices in providing programming assistance.

• Build and maintain partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and other organizations for collaboration on data science and AI projects.  

• Provide data science and AI consulting support for students, faculty, and staff.  This includes advice on wrangling, visualization, and analysis of data, support with the interpretation of results, suggestions for relevant resources for data-oriented tasks, and discussions related to updating the statistical content or software for a course, work, or research project.

• Design and lead workshops related to data science and AI.  Also create modules on data science and AI topics (e.g., data visualization, GitHub) that can be incorporated into existing courses.  Help DCDS develop alternative credentials (e.g., badges) related to data science and AI.

• Support and develop outreach activities and events to promote data science on-campus and in the local community.

Work Setting: On Campus

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise student employees

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in analytics, data science, statistics, computer science, information systems, or a related field; and four (4) years of experience in analytics or a related data-focused field.

• OR Master’s degree in related analytics field and two years of experience in analytics or a related data-focused field.

• Relevant coursework in statistics, computer science, data science.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to work on data science and AI projects from a wide variety of disciplines.  This includes experience with, or education in, translating research questions into questions that can be answered with data, wrangling data, visualizing data, modeling data, and interpreting the results.  

• Should have experience with, or education in, basic data wrangling, such as handling missing values, formatting data, creating new variables, checking data consistency, reshaping data and joining multiple datasets.

• Should have experience with, or education in, building the following models: generalized linear regression models, hierarchical models, nonparametric models, regression trees, and random forests.

• Should have experience with, or education in, selecting and implementing the appropriate visualization for multivariate relationships.

• Should have experience with delivering workshops or training on data topics or tools

• Should have experience with, or education in, the data science software programs SQL and R or Python.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to occasionally move up to 25 lbs, with or without accommodations.

• Able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time; operate a computer and use a mouse/keyboard for long periods of time.

• Able to move about the office to access file cabinets and office machinery such as copiers and printers.

• Able to work in an environment with multiple competing deadlines and frequent interruptions.

To apply:

Please provide a complete resume and a cover letter that provides an executive summary of the following:

• your specific interest in joining the Dominguez Center for Data Science at Bucknell University,
• your training and experience in data science,
• and two to three data science projects you have undertaken.

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2025, and continue until filled. Questions about this position may be directed to Kelly McConville, Director of the Dominguez Center for Data Science, at k.mcconville@bucknell.edu.

This position is donor-funded through June, 2029, and is renewable pending additional funding. It is a priority for Bucknell to secure funding to make this position permanent.  

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

77,180.00-90,800.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.