Research Fellow – Data Scientist/Data Analyst (Academic Specialist)

Job no: 0057347
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Continuing (Research Contingent)
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Economics
Department/School: Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic and Social Research
Salary: Level B – $110,236 – $130,900 p.a. plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic and Social Research
http://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/

The Melbourne Institute is a research-only department within the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne. It is Australia’s leading and longest standing research institute in the field of economics, undertaking cutting-edge research into key issues relevant to modern economic and social policy.

The Melbourne Institute has a core faculty of some 40 academics and academic specialists, a team of research staff that include expertise in data science and analytics, a team of professional/administrative staff that support the mission and operations of the department, honorary fellows and PhD students. Reflecting the standards of research excellence achieved at the Melbourne Institute, staff are expected to publish in internationally acclaimed peer reviewed journals and to lead the public debate on economic and social policy.

The Melbourne Institute has an organisational structure that involves senior research staff (level D and E) supervising teams of research and related staff. Research staff are affiliated with one or more research programs that cover a range of areas in applied micro- and macro-economic analysis and policy. All research programs undertake both academic and engaged research projects that result in a range of publications that include top peer-reviewed academic journals and highly regard research briefings and reports. Researchers may work on projects in different programs, consistent with their research capabilities and work demands.

About the Role
The Research Fellow – Data Scientist / Data Analyst, works within the Melbourne Institute’s Data and Analytics team to provide research and data support to the Institute’s range of projects. This includes using state of the art data science tools and techniques on large-scale economic and social data to support ongoing academic and/or contract research projects. This also includes supporting existing projects with data visualisation skills to create engaging interactive data visualisations that can bridge the gap from a technical report to policy relevance. The successful candidate will also facilitate data governance activities inside the Melbourne Institute’s secure data enclave, the Melbourne Institute Data Lab which has been built to support national data sharing infrastructure. The Research Fellow will also be expected to pursue research and engagement opportunities to present and publish work in their area of expertise.

Responsibilities include:

• Interacting and collaborating with researchers and key stakeholders to establish research approaches and provide advice and support for research projects at the Melbourne Institute.
• Supporting research activities through the development of tools, systems and technical programming that enhance the ability to extract information and insights from data.
• Developing, transforming, and analysing large-scale datasets utilising best practice computer programming, data science, and statistical techniques.
• Supporting quality assurance and data governance activities within the Melbourne Institute’s secure data enclave.

About You
You are an experienced data scientist/analyst with knowledge of current tools and methods used in data science and/or empirical research methods. You will have highly developed skills in all facets of large-scale data sets, such as data development, data preparation, applied data analysis and data visualisations. You must also have substantial experience in the use of various statistical software packages, such as STATA, R, and SAS, as well as in other programming languages such as SQL and Python for efficient programming and data management. Ideally you will also have experience with a range of social and economic data.

You will also have:

• A PhD or equivalent experience in empirical methods, data science, statistics or closely related field that involves empirical analysis (e.g. could be in a PhD in economics).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits .

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria^ (found in the Position Description) for the role.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact  us at hr-talent@unimelb.edu.au .

Position Description