Senior Data Scientist, Digital Data Design Institute

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Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

Job Summary:

Lead comprehensive applications/web development for highly complex projects; typically work as part of a team to implement complex business solutions. Deliver strategic and expert coding; focus on overarching development strategy for a large, complex, multi-faceted application. May manage a number of projects simultaneously.

The Senior Data Scientist will be a key member of the D^3 Data Science Team, working closely with Harvard Business School (HBS) faculty and researchers on the use AI tools and analysis of data to make advancements in social science research related to business and management, digital transformation, data science and artificial intelligence.

Given that social science data is heavily unstructured and contextual, we expect the Data Scientist to have proven track record and experience in multiple techniques like, but not limited to, ML, NLP, deep learning, neural networks, timeseries, and forecasting. The Data Scientist will work with and analyze data that is collected from various activities in the field, shared from organizations, or retrieved from public sources. As the Institute is built to dynamically adapt and scale, we expect responsibilities will evolve over time.

Most importantly, this role acts as an expert guide and resource for researchers with a wide range of abilities and knowledge relating to data methodologies as well as evolving and emerging technologies. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

 

• Extract, clean, explore, and analyze data collected from various sources, including organizational data, public data, and experimental data
• Participate in the tracking and assignment of tasks in the D^3 Data Science Team
• Design and execute data science and AI experiments with partner organizations.
• Create and implement a variety of models and analyses and be able to extract insights and inform strategy from them.
• Create and maintain clear documentation of data files, modeling choices, rationale, results, and annotated code and readme files.
• Present and explain data science methods and findings to faculty, managers and other non-technical stakeholders at D^3.
• Provide training and mentorship of other data scientists, research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, and PhD students.
• Troubleshoot complex problems and device a strategy of seeking solutions in collaboration with other data scientists.
• Document and disseminate findings.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience
• Master’s or PhD in one of the following disciplines: Computational Sciences in either Physics, Biology, Neuroscience, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or another quantitative field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data science or related quantitative role.
• Experience with R, Python, SQL, and related languages.
• Experience with AWS (RDS, EC2, S3, etc.) preferred or with Azure or Google Cloud.
• Experience with supervised and unsupervised ML methods.
• Advanced Statistical Expertise: Extensive experience with statistical modeling and regression analysis, including hypothesis testing and causal analysis. 
• Time Series Proficiency: Proven track record applying advanced time series methods, specifically VAR and state-space modeling, to complex datasets.
• Familiarity with LLM API use for research purposes.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of information technology applications, processes, software and equipment
• Highly specialized knowledge of a specific technology
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor
• Ability to handle multiple projects, stakeholders and demands
• Strong team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau)
• Experience prototyping products for research purposes

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
• As part of our evaluation, candidates are required to complete a take-home assignment/assessment after clearing the technical screen.
• We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.