Data Scientist

James Madison University’s Student Academic Success Analytics (SSA) team is seeking a Data Scientist to turn student-success data into ethical, actionable evidence that supports improved outcomes for learners. This hybrid role in Harrisonburg, VA focuses on applied analytics and research, partnering across campus to enable data-informed decision-making, including responsible exploration of generative AI in analytical workflows.

What you will do

• Analyze student-success data to produce actionable insights that help the early student success team and other stakeholders take data-driven action.
• Design and evaluate descriptive, predictive, and, where appropriate, causal or quasi-experimental analyses, while documenting assumptions, uncertainty, limitations, and differential performance across student populations.
• Communicate results through visualizations, presentations, written reports, publications, and other multi-media formats.
• Collaborate with Student Academic Success (SAS) partners and colleagues across campus on data management best practices, including data ethics and privacy, data-informed research questions, and the use of data.
• Advocate for data privacy, ethics, and equity as central to the design, management, and use of data for the early student success system, including work with the broader campus community.
• Explore and evaluate responsible uses of generative AI for analytical workflows, knowledge retrieval, documentation, and decision-support tools, with attention to privacy, accuracy, accessibility, and human oversight.

Required qualifications

• MS in Statistics, Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Physics, Finance, or another quantitative discipline.
• Proficiency in SQL and at least one statistical or general-purpose programming language, preferably Python or R.
• Experience using statistical methods and programming to manage data and generate insights from large data sets.
• Experience analyzing, summarizing, and communicating information clearly, including knowledge of open source or commercial data visualization libraries or tools.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.
• Awareness of and commitment to data privacy, security, and ethics.
• Awareness of how data analytics can strengthen student success, retention, and graduation across student populations.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in higher education.
• PhD in Statistics, Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Physics, Finance, or another quantitative discipline.
• Experience creating and using advanced machine learning algorithms and statistics such as regression, simulation, modeling, clustering, and decision trees.
• Professional experience in equitable data management, use of data, and data analytics.
• Experience working with relational and non-relational database systems.
• Experience using, building, and deploying generative AI tools.

Tools and technologies

• SQL
• Python
• R
• Generative AI

Location and work arrangement

• Harrisonburg, VA (hybrid)
• Telework eligible

Conditions of employment

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.
• After accepting employment, new hires must complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
• James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Additional information

• JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates relocating to the area.
• Reasonable accommodation: If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs, contact (540) 568-3597 or [email protected].