Job Description

Job Summary
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) seeks a full-time research scientist for the Data Science and Analytics Department. The ideal candidate will be an innovative researcher with expertise in data analytics and a passion for continuous learning. This role centers on creating data-driven solutions that boost student success through advanced statistical analysis, compelling data visualization, and clear communication. The research scientist will employ techniques such as predictive modeling, machine learning, data mining, and complex computational statistics to answer key research questions. An exceptional ability to explain complex analytics insights in a simple, engaging way is essential. Candidates should have strong statistical programing abilities, a creative and meticulous approach, interest in higher education, and a collaborative mindset. The position offers opportunities to try innovative methodologies and share ideas in a collaborative team environment focused on leveraging data analytics to benefit community college students.

SLCC is nationally recognized as a premiere community college in the western United States. The College is making an increased investment in its data and analytics resources as it transitions more completely to a culture of data-informed decision-making at all levels. The researcher will help with this transition and will have an important role in improving college student success in Utah.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties
Initiate, plan, and complete research and analytical projects from requirements gathering, design and modeling, implementation, peer review, and presentation. This includes developing and improving data collection systems, designing experiments by analyzing data, producing written summaries of clear, accurate, and trustworthy results for our college community, and possibly presenting findings in person.
Perform slightly complex analyses, potentially requiring new techniques you learn on your own or via others on the team.
Execute these projects semi-independently with guidance and check-ins with the assistant director.
Produce reports on time.
Engage in professional communication with project stakeholders and/or the assistant director to ensure project goals and deliverables meet expectations.
Seek to improve the quality of research the team produces by collaborating with other researchers to discuss projects and results and engage in a high-quality, thoughtful peer review process.
Develop clear reports to help stakeholders monitor the progress of projects.
Other duties as assigned.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties Continued
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
One (1) to three (3) years of relevant, paid, full-time work experience.
Demonstrated research experience.
* Trade off 2:1 in experience/education requirement.
* Part-time experience may be substituted on a prorated basis.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a relevant quantitative field.
Experience in community college or educational research.
Experience with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Experience with parametric and nonparametric statistics.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative and /or qualitative research.
Demonstrates commitment to and engagement in continuous learning to provide accurate results and approaches to analytical questions.
Ability to perform advanced statistical analysis on complex multi-dimensional and hierarchically structured data, including using techniques from areas such as data mining, business intelligence, predictive analytics, machine learning, computational statistics, and the social sciences.
Ability to process, clean and structure institutional datasets for analytics and research.
Knowledge of a statistical computing language, such as R.
Must be a creative and collaborative team player with the ability to interact with a team and a proven history of accepting and giving constructive feedback.
Strong organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
Ability to focus the level of research commensurate with the stated need for the project.
Ability to work with stakeholders to refine analytical and research questions and, as necessary, serve as a data or research consultant.
Ability to write clear, concise papers/summaries of statistical findings, analytics and data for a non-technical audience that emphasize visualization of results.
Ability to present statistical findings clearly and convincingly to stakeholders and, where necessary, to explain statistical concepts to non-statisticians.
Effective communication skills and comfort working with different teams within the organization.
Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse people, ability, culture, and ethnic background, to maintain good working relationships across the College.
Ability to work with all groups in a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic background of community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities.
Non-Essential Responsibilities and Duties
Special Instructions
Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before the priority review date indicated above. More information about Salt Lake Community College benefits: https://i.slcc.edu/culture/benefits/index.aspx
SLCC Highlights
Salt Lake Community College is Utah’s largest open-access college with the most diverse student body in the state. We proudly educate 45,000+ students pursuing degrees in 100+ programs across 8 areas of study, and Utah’s fastest growing industries and four-year baccalaureate programs consistently welcome SLCC graduates. Every SLCC employee has a hand in transforming students’ lives to strengthen its surrounding communities. SLCC employees work at 11 locations across the valley and capital city of Salt Lake with easy access to the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, world-class outdoor recreation, sporting events, museums, history, and arts and entertainment.

Salt Lake Community College seeks and values contributions from each community member and welcomes new and diverse perspectives. A respectful work environment is its top priority; academic excellence and lasting transformation come about when diverse voices can speak and collaborate freely. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, SLCC leads the state with the highest enrollment of students from the Latinx/a/o community. SLCC is committed to serving diverse students and being a model for inclusive and transformative education.