Lead Data Scientist, AI Acceleration

Job Description

ASU, a leading innovator in higher education, is committed to maintaining the most dynamic and productive learning experience in all of higher education. We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Lead Data Scientist to join our Enterprise Technology (ET) team and revolutionize the way we leverage data and AI to support student success.

As the Lead Data Scientist, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to harness the power of AI and advanced analytics to drive innovation and enhance the student experience. Working collaboratively with diverse groups from across the university, you will build strong relationships and deeply understand their data and research needs. Leveraging AI technologies, you will develop sophisticated statistical solutions and operationalize machine learning models to provide actionable insights that directly contribute to student success.

In this pivotal role, you will have the opportunity to upskill and manage a team of talented data scientists, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving field of AI. Your leadership will be critical in strategizing, designing, developing, and implementing cutting-edge, enterprise-level applied research and statistical models, with a strong emphasis on machine learning operationalization (MLOps).

To excel in this position, you will serve as the team’s principal machine learning engineer, responsible for developing, deploying, and maintaining end-to-end automated production pipelines. You will leverage your expertise in MLOps to create robust and scalable systems that enable seamless integration of AI models into our daily operations. By automating and streamlining processes, you will enable faster decision-making and empower our stakeholders to make data-driven choices that optimize student outcomes.

As with everyone in the Enterprise Technology team, our intentional focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as well as culture and communications are core responsibilities in this role. With an increased emphasis on authenticity, compassion, and inclusivity, this position strives to embody and advance our Enterprise Technology Positive Core.

Working Environment

Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work. Occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds. Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts. Ability to clearly communicate to perform essential functions. Drives University vehicle and/or cart to campus site.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, information technology or closely related field and six (6) years of related experience OR Master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, information technology or closely related field and four (4) years of related experience, OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Department Statement

Enterprise Technology (ET) embraces its role as both an enabler and catalyst for advancing the vision and work of the New American University. We are a values-driven organization. Our commitments are reflected in all of the work we do in pursuit of operational excellence, the experience and delight of our community, and our strategic and innovation initiatives. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
Join the team that sparks human-centered innovation

ET is a rapidly reconfigurable and entrepreneurial organization at ASU that prioritizes and
executes to meet the needs of our community of learners, faculty, researchers and staff. Our
work emphasizes autonomy, flexibility and distributed decision-making to leverage the strengths of individuals. Together, we embrace a culture that nurtures, engages and embraces diverse voices with a shared lens of positive community impact and expanded opportunities for collaboration.

Why join us?

Mission oriented. Everything we do is to advance ASU’s charter — measuring who we include and how they succeed. We are staunch champions of learner success and put people first.

Flexibility. Our hybrid work environment prioritizes personal autonomy and trust around how work gets done. Staff touch base in person a few times per week with freedom to decide how, when and where.

Culture forward. We embrace a Positive Core culture: Belonging, Relational, Authentic, Visionary and Empowered. The ET fabric weaves together diversity, equity and inclusion applied in our daily work and interactions.

Scale of impact. Our work changes the world. With 180k+ learners, faculty, researchers and staff, working with ET means you have the capacity to improve many lives and entire communities.

World-class, low cost education. Our professional development is built in! ET encourages staff to seek additional certificates and degrees via ASU’s top ranked programs with major tuition breaks.

Exposure to industry giants. ET partners with Amazon, Apple, Cox, Verizon, Salesforce, Alteryx and a diversity of technology companies to enhance our innovations and deepen their impact.

Desired Qualifications

• Evidence of an advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master’s) in a quantitative field such as computer science, data science, statistics, or a related discipline
• Proven experience (5+ years) in a data science or related role, with a strong focus on machine learning and statistical modeling
• Expertise in machine learning operationalization (MLOps), including building end-to-end automated production pipelines, model versioning, and deployment at scale
• Experience with generative AI model, LLMs
• Experience working in the field of education or a related domain, with a passion for leveraging data and AI to drive positive impact in the higher education sector
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and experience leveraging cloud-based services for data processing and machine learning tasks
• Experience with natural language processing (NLP)
• Experience with AWS Sagemaker and Jupyter Notebooks
• Extensive hands-on experience in developing and deploying machine learning models, using languages such as Python or R, and frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
• Experience with higher education data and ERP systems, including PeopleSoft, Workday, and/or Salesforce
• Proficient in data manipulation and analysis using SQL and Python and experience working with large datasets and distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Hadoop, Spark)
• Solid understanding of statistical methods, experimental design, and hypothesis testing
• Strong programming skills with the ability to write clean, efficient, and well-documented code
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including experience managing and mentoring a team of data scientists or analysts
• Knowledge of data visualization techniques and tools (e.g., Tableau) to effectively communicate insights and findings
• Familiarity with data governance and privacy regulations, and a strong commitment to ethical data handling practices
• Continuous learning mindset, staying updated with the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and data science through self-study, research, or professional development opportunities

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation’s fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/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 basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU PD at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

Essential Duties

• Serve as the team’s principal machine learning engineer, responsible for developing, deploying, and maintaining end-to-end automated production pipelines
• Lead and upskill a team of talented data scientists, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure their professional growth and excellence
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure robust data infrastructure and maintain data quality standards
• Build and nurture strong relationships with various groups across the university to deeply understand their data and research needs
• Strategize, design, and execute enterprise-level applied research and statistical models with a focus on machine learning operationalization (MLOps)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for AI integration and propose innovative solutions that optimize student outcomes
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and model evaluation to uncover valuable insights and improve predictive accuracy
• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in AI and data science, and proactively identify emerging technologies and methodologies that can enhance our capabilities
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define success metrics and develop evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of AI-driven initiatives
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and ethical considerations when working with sensitive student data
• Actively contribute to the development of AI and data science strategies, frameworks, and best practices within the organization
• Represent ASU as a thought leader in AI and data science by participating in conferences, workshops, and industry events
• Take responsibility for fostering culture, advancing our values, and championing engagement in all its forms — collaborating across our teams as well as participating in ET/ASU events and programs.
• Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. Advances our Enterprise Technology Affirmative Pledge.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.