Junior Data Scientist, Stanford Law School

*NOTE: This position has been deemed critical/has specific funding, has been approved by the Law School for posting, and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

Rhode Center on the Legal Profession
Stanford Law School

About the Rhode Center

The Rhode Center on the Legal Profession is a leading research institution dedicated to studying the legal profession, legal institutions, and the lawyers who shape them. The Center brings together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and students to produce rigorous, impactful research with real-world relevance.

The Role

The Rhode Center on the Legal Profession at Stanford Law School seeks to hire a Junior Data Scientist to support routine data cleaning, dataset preparation, and the construction of standard machine learning pipelines. This role supports the core research team and improves turnaround time for foundational datasets. This position will report to the Lead Data Scientist of the Rhode Center.

Location

This is a residential position and is expected to be on-campus, with some flexibility for hybrid work after getting acclimated to the role.

Core Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Collect, manage, clean, and prepare datasets for modeling or tool integration.
• Employ new and existing tools to interpret, analyze, and visualize multivariate relationships in data - create repeatable scripts for preprocessing, merging, and validating large datasets.
• Create databases and reports, develop algorithms and statistical models, and perform statistical analyses appropriate to data and reporting requirements.
• Use system reports and analyses to identify potentially problematic data, make corrections, and determine root cause for data problems from input errors or inadequate field edits, and suggest possible solutions.
• Build and deploy supervised and unsupervised machine learning models, including LLM-based classification and fine-tuning for domain-specific applications.
• Collaborate with faculty and research staff on data collection and analysis methods.
• Document data pipelines so they can be reused across projects. Provide documentation based on audit and reporting criteria to investigators and research staff.
• Write clean, production-quality code and use GitHub for version control and collaboration.
• Communicate with government officials, grant agencies and industry representatives

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree or a combination of education and relevant experience. Experience in a discipline such as computer science, engineering, or statistics.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in Python and SQL
• Substantial experience with MS Office and analytical programs.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following materials electronically:

1. Cover letter describing interest in the position, relevant experience, and how the candidate's background aligns with the Rhode Center's mission.
2. Curriculum vitae or resume.
3. Names and contact information for at least three professional references.

Applications will be accepted until March 31st. Review of applications will take place on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by the review date for full consideration.

We recognize that no single candidate will possess every qualification listed above, and we encourage individuals with relevant experience and a strong interest in the Center's work to apply.

The expected pay range for this position is $80,148-$99,773 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (;/strong>) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.