Sr. Data Scientist

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 (007398)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_189882

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

10/7/2025 3:14:51 PM

Date Last Edited:

10/7/2025 3:14:48 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1140O

Organization:

SCHOOL OF LAW

Division Code:

1141D

Division:

LAW DIV

Department:

025000 - LAW

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_189882

Position Description ID

245613

UC Payroll Title:

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 (007398)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 21

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

0.5

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40043435

Reports to Payroll Title:

PROF-AY-LAW

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40040696

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

GENERAL DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work, and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sr. Data Scientist will play a key role in supporting the Project's data-driven initiatives by developing and maintaining robust data infrastructure, conducting advanced analyses, and translating complex findings into actionable insights for a wide range of audiences. This position requires a strong foundation in data science, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to using data for public impact.

The Sr. Data Scientist will be responsible for designing and managing data pipelines using R to collect and compile information from various sources, including public records. They will develop and review reproducible code to integrate and standardize disparate datasets, and collaborate with the data team to maintain the Project's GitHub repository. The role also involves conducting statistical analyses and effectively communicating findings to diverse audiences, including the public, journalists, policymakers, litigators, advocates, and funders. Additionally, the Data Scientist will work closely with nontechnical stakeholders to define data objectives and create detailed project execution plans.

The work will be remote; applicants need not reside in California.

American prisons are deadly but opaque places. In 2019, the federal entity charged with collecting and reporting carceral mortality data stopped performing these critical functions. The new entity tasked with this role has struggled to collect new data and has ceased new data reporting. This abdication has left the public without access to even the most basic facts about life and death behind bars, including how many people die each year in state and federal prisons; who is dying in prison, and why; and what disparities—racial, gender, and geographical—exist in mortality outcomes. This informational void makes it difficult if not impossible for policymakers and other stakeholders to identify what actions carceral agencies can take to reduce preventable deaths and improve conditions inside. It also makes it challenging for members of the public to see the contours and impacts of the carceral penalties imposed on people convicted of crimes.  The UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project's carceral mortality database is the only comprehensive, public accounting of the most basic facts about mortality behind bars: how many people died across state and federal prisons in recent years. The Project also gathers as much data as possible about mortality in jails and detention centers nationwide. And as of April 2025, the Project has begun expanding its scope to include as much data as possible on morbidity behind bars in American carceral facilities.

The Project obtains and cleans data from public records requests, death certificates, and other data sources; compiles and publishes the data, and employs established data protocols and research methodologies to understand its implications. In addition, the Project collaborates with advocates, reporters, researchers, litigators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to make sure that data is available, intelligible, and usable for their purposes.

Research and Statistical Analysis

1. In conjunction with Directors and the Senior Data Scientist, participate in conceptual development of research projects. (E)

2. Conduct research and compile, clean, and analyze data using a variety of web-based sources and public records requests. (E)

3. Interpret trends or patterns in  data. (E)

4. Produce data visualizations and monitoring tools that provide insight into dataset structure and meaning. (E)

5. Identify important information in raw data and develop scripts that extract findings from a variety of data formats. (E)

6. Summarize and translate different analysis results where data is complex, messy, or missing  and present findings to a variety of audiences. (E)

7. Recommend areas to be explored, methods of analysis to be employed and possible sources of data. (E)

45%

Project Management

1. Develop project timelines and deliverables independently (E)

2. Oversee progress toward deliverables for relevant projects (E)

3. Liaise with partners and other external stakeholders, including policymakers, community groups, and academic researchers. (E)

4. Maintain project files (e.g., copies of proposals, study materials, human subjects applications, data, program syntax, study reports and other materials) (E)

5. Complete IRB applications, amendments, and continuing reviews (E)

6. For relevant projects, manage communication across collaborators, contractors, interns, and others (E)

30%

Data Management

1. Manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets conducted across the  Project. (E)

2. Manage existing reporting services as well as creating and automating ad-hoc reports. (E)

20%

Program Representation

1. Represent the Project at local and national events as requested by Project Director. (E)

2. Manage inquiries about the Project's data and research  through the provision of information and technical support to stakeholders  (E)

5%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required

Experience with R, or a similar statistical computer languages to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets.

Required

Experience working with collaborators and stakeholders with varying levels of data science literacy.

Preferred

Experience with git/GitHub another version control system.

Required

Experience planning and executing quantitative and qualitative data projects including analysis, archiving, or collection.

Preferred

Experience gathering and harmonizing national datasets using public records requests to government agencies.

Preferred

Experience with different project management methodologies and an interest in developing the best fit for a variety of projects.

Preferred

Experience building or maintaining productionized ETL pipelines in R or Python.

Preferred

Experience with web-scraping or using OCR to convert data from unstructured sources to a machine-readable format.

Preferred

Experience creating impactful data visualizations for social media and reports;

Preferred

Familiarity with the criminal justice system.

Required

Experience working with collaborators and stakeholders with varying levels of data science literacy.

Preferred

Desire to work in a collaborative and diverse environment.

Required

Outstanding initiative, judgment, attention to detail, ability to work independently and problem solve creatively.

Required

Exceptional analytical, writing, and editing ability.

Required

.Demonstrated ability to present research findings in written, verbal, or electronic formats to be understood by various audiences to arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions, or solutions

Required

Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Required

Strong skills in analyzing, research and synthesizing data.

Required

Ability to multi-task.

Required

Outstanding leadership, judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to foster a collaborative working environment.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

Ability to work after hours or evenings and weekends, as needed, to fulfill job responsibilities.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

Remote

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.