Data Scientist

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Analytics & AI and collaborating closely with the Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Strategy in Student Affairs, this role drives data-informed decision-making to enhance the student experience. The Data Scientist will design and maintain an open-source analytics application within the University DataCommons, develop predictive models, and create dashboards and visualizations that turn complex data into actionable insights. This position requires both technical expertise and a passion for Student Affairs' mission of service and student success.

We are looking for professionals who are:
Passionate about improving the student experience
Curious and adaptable, eager to learn and innovate
Collaborative team players who thrive in dynamic environments
Committed to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)

Key Responsibilities:
Develop, operationalize, and maintain quantitative and visual analytics solutions within the University DataCommons.
Build and maintain data pipelines, dashboards, and reports to support Student Affairs initiatives.
Apply statistical and machine learning techniques to identify trends and predict outcomes.
Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with privacy regulations (FERPA, GDPR).
Engage with stakeholders to understand needs and translate them into actionable insights.
Contribute to documentation and community engagement for the open-source analytics platform.
Collaborate with Student Affairs professionals and application administrators to understand current data collection practices, identify data gaps, and implement business process changes that capture additional data needed for the division's data strategy.
Support the development and validation of scales measuring learning and development outcomes (e.g., belonging, wellbeing) in partnership with Student Affairs and institutional partners.

Required Qualifications
Experience applying analytic techniques to answer questions and solve problems.
Demonstrated experience in data collection, integration, processing, and analysis.
Strong programming skills (e.g., Python,SQL, JavaScript).
Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning algorithms.
Familiarity with data visualization tools or libraries (open-source or commercial).
Experience sharing (and ability to communicate) complex findings clearly to diverse audiences.
Collaborative mindset and ability to work in a dynamic environment.
Experience in a higher education environment.
Experience working with IT applications to understand existing data collection practices and identify new data needs.
Demonstrated ability to support the development and validation of scales for learning and development outcomes or psychological constructs (e.g., belonging, wellbeing).
Master's degree in a quantitative discipline or equivalent experience. We welcome candidates from non-traditional academic backgrounds who can demonstrate strong analytical and technical skills.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience leveraging Python with relational databases and analytic pipelines.
Familiarity with open-source visualization libraries (e.g., Highcharts.js, Plotly).
Experience with student information systems and/or cloud platforms (AWS preferred).
Experience in a student affairs setting within higher education.
Experience working with IT applications that are specific to Student Affairs (e.g., Engage, Maxient, StarRez) to understand existing data collection practices and identify new data needs.

Pay Band

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Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

65,000 - 75,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

April 10, 2026

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Annabelle Fuselier at during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer