Decision Scientist
$118,900–$178,500 year
On-siteRaleigh, North Carolina, United States
Job Summary
Design and implement machine learning models that enable recursive learning across the student lifecycle, translating behavioral goals into model specifications. Partner with data engineering to develop pipelines and apply MLOps best practices to monitor, retrain, and update models for sustained performance. Develop dashboards to present insights to non-technical audiences while documenting assumptions and feedback loops to ensure transparency and fairness. Collaborate with product leads and business SMEs to build decision products that drive automated solutions for operational efficiency and scale. This full-time role supports the Experiential Product team at Western Governors University, focusing on personalized student progress and completion.
Required Qualifications
- Strong background with demonstrated results in data science, including supervised and unsupervised learning, model selection, and evaluation
- Working knowledge of MLOps tools and practices (e.g., CI/CD for ML, model monitoring, model drift detection)
- Moderate experience in data engineering practices, especially around data ingestion, transformation, and orchestration pipelines
- Ability to map and model decision points with inputs, alternatives, outcomes, and feedback mechanisms
- Experience incorporating behavioral signals and goals into decision frameworks
- Proficiency in Python or R and experience with ML frameworks such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch
- Experience working with cloud platforms and deploying models in production (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Familiarity with version control systems and collaborative development (e.g., Git, GitHub)
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills to bridge technical and non-technical audiences
- Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Behavioral Sciences, or related discipline
- 5+ years of experience in data science, decision intelligence, or analytics, with at least 2 years of experience in applied machine learning and data pipeline development
- Experience in designing data-driven decision frameworks and deploying ML models in production environments
- Experience designing or working with decision models or frameworks that influence targeted human behaviors
- Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in higher education or a mission-driven environment is a plus
- Master's degree preferred
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