Data Scientist

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, ongoing basis without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

Applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities. 

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:
The Institutional Data, Evaluation, Analytics and Strategy (IDEAS) office is seeking a Data Scientist to bridge the gap between complex data and institutional action. Working with the Associate Provost, you will lead analytical projects spanning the entire student lifecycle—from enrollment and retention to graduation and post‑graduate outcomes—focusing on predictive modeling for student success and long‑term outcome analysis. We are looking for a technical expert who can move past traditional reporting to drive strategy, benchmarking, and policy. We are looking for a professional who is passionate about using data to improve institutional effectiveness and the overall student and alumni experience.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is a technically strong and strategically focused Data Scientist with expertise in statistical modeling and machine learning applied to student success and longitudinal outcomes. Has experience developing predictive models (classification, regression, forecasting, time‑to‑event) and translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership. Proficient in Python and SQL, can build scalable data pipelines, integrate multi‑source datasets, and operationalize models while maintaining strong data governance standards. The ideal candidate thrives in cross‑functional settings, takes ownership of projects from design through deployment, and communicates analytical findings in ways that inform strategy, equity, and institutional policy.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is fully remote, permitting all tasks to be completed from any location within the United States. Working hours will remain Central Standard Time. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: This is a full‑time, benefits‑eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $120,000–$130,000 depending on qualifications and experience.
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree

• 5+ years of experience in data science, analytics, and machine learning

Skills:

• Technical Expertise:

  • Strong programming skills in Python and SQL

  • Sound knowledge of statistical methods and machine learning algorithms

  • (classification,