Research Data Scientist

Job Title

Research Data Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Institute For A Disaster Resilient Texas

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Houston, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are
The Institute for Disaster Resilient Texas, located at the Houston campus, works to facilitate and deliver critical research on disaster risk reduction, provide data analytics and decision-making tools, and generate evidence-based solutions that help Texas communities become more resilient over the longer term. To learn more, visit https://idrt.tamug.edu

What We Want
We seek a highly skilled and collaborative Data Scientist to lead the development and implementation of advanced statistical and machine learning models, manage large-scale geospatial and temporal datasets, and enhance data infrastructure to support research and applied projects focused on hazard risk, resilience, and mitigation. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise in data science, cloud-based platforms, and geospatial analysis, along with the ability to translate complex findings into accessible insights for stakeholders. This role requires a strategic thinker with experience in federal and state-funded initiatives, a passion for data-informed decision-making, and the ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across academic, government, and public sectors.
 

This position involves designing and implementing advanced statistical and machine learning models, developing interactive visualizations, and supporting data infrastructure to inform research and applied projects. The Data Scientist will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support federal- and state-funded initiatives focused on hazard risk, resilience, and mitigation.

What You Need To Know

Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Qualifications                                                                                                   

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Eight years of related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities                                                                                                   

• Strong academic background in statistics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or similar discipline.

• Significant knowledge in research and applications of Data Science in one or more operational domains and associated disciplines including but not limited to: transportation, mobility, facilities management, environmental sensing, image and video interpretation, geospatial data processing.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Proficiency in applying advanced statistical analyses and developing predictive models for natural hazard-related data.

• Experience with data visualization tools and programming languages (e.g., R, Python, SQL).

• Experience with data management and data analytics in cloud-based platforms (e.g., Microsoft Azure, Databricks, Amazon Web Service).

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams, institutions, and agencies.

• Strong written communication, analytical, and organizational skills.

• Ability to train, validate, apply machine learning models to complex data sets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in an area related to Data Science, Urban and Regional Sciences, Computer Science/Engineering, Statisti