Data Scientist

Data Scientist – Autism Center of Excellence (ACE)

Department Overview

The University of Virginia's Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) is seeking a Data Scientist to support an NIH-funded Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research project within the Department of Psychology.

The project involves the collection, management, and analysis of clinical, behavioral, neuroimaging, and other research data. The Data Scientist will collaborate with the ACE Data Coordinating Center (DCC), investigators, research coordinators, analysts, and information technology personnel to support secure and effective research data operations and scientific discovery.

Position Summary

The Data Scientist will oversee the secure, accurate, and efficient management of research data for an NIH-funded Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) project.

Working closely with the ACE Data Coordinating Center (DCC) Principal Investigator, this position will administer the project's REDCap-based data systems, coordinate user accounts and role-based permissions, and facilitate authorized access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources.

The successful candidate will ensure that clinical, behavioral, neuroimaging, and other study data are appropriately organized, quality controlled, documented, and managed in accordance with study protocols, institutional policies, NIH requirements, and applicable human-subjects and data-security standards.

In addition to research data management, this position will develop and apply modern data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and statistical approaches to analyze complex research datasets, generate meaningful visualizations, and support scientific publications and research outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Research Data Management and REDCap Administration

• Administer and maintain the project's REDCap databases, including data collection forms, validation rules, user roles, permissions, audit trails, and routine system updates.
• Coordinate the creation, modification, periodic review, and deactivation of study user accounts, ensuring access is consistent with approved project roles and the principle of least privilege.
• Collaborate with research coordinators and study personnel to support data entry, troubleshoot database issues, monitor data completeness and consistency, and implement quality-assurance procedures.
• Develop and maintain data dictionaries, standard operating procedures, database documentation, access records, and other materials supporting reproducibility, regulatory compliance, and continuity of project operations.

Data Science, Statistical Analysis, and Artificial Intelligence

• Develop, validate, and apply modern data science and artificial intelligence computational approaches to clinical, behavioral, neuroimaging, and other ACE research data.
• Conduct formal statistical analyses to support research objectives and scientific investigations.
• Develop innovative data visualizations to communicate research findings and derived analytical results.
• Support reproducible analytical workflows, data processing, and preparation of research datasets for investigators and analysts.

Research Computing and Data Security

• Facilitate authorized access to institutional high-performance computing systems and related data-analysis environments in coordination with investigators, information technology staff, and system administrators.
• Support secure data transfers, dataset preparation, reporting, archiving, and data-sharing activities.
• Ensure research data practices align with Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, participant consent, NIH data-management and sharing expectations, and institutional privacy and security policies.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and access controls for sensitive research data.

Research Collaboration and Scientific Support

• Collaborate with project investigators, research coordinators, analysts, information technology personnel, and other stakeholders to support research operations and data-analysis needs.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, technical documentation, grant reports, presentations, and other research deliverables.
• Support effective communication of research findings through data visualization, reporting, and scientific presentations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Experience: At least three years of relevant professional experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing, administering, or managing REDCap-based research databases, including project configuration, user permissions, data-quality controls, and audit capabilities.
• Familiarity with the REDCap API, including programmatic data import, export, validation, and integration with external data-processing workflows.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R for data management, quality assurance, statistical analysis, workflow automation, and reproducible reporting.
• Experience developing and applying modern data science, machine learning, or artificial intelligence approaches to complex research datasets.
• Experience working with high-performance computing systems, secure research-computing environments, command-line tools, and role-based access procedures.
• Knowledge of research data governance, human-subjects protections, privacy and security practices, and NIH data-management and sharing requirements.
• Experience working with sensitive clinical, behavioral, neuroimaging, or related biomedical research data.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with investigators, research coordinators, analysts, information technology personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated scholarly writing ability, including contributions to peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical documentation, grant reports, or research proposals.
• Experience developing and delivering posters, oral presentations, workshops, or other scientific communications at professional or academic conferences.
• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities, troubleshoot technical and data-quality issues, maintain accurate documentation, and meet project deadlines.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary position involving extensive use of desktop computers. The position may occasionally require travel to attend meetings, programs, or other work-related activities.

Salary Range

The anticipated hiring range is $84,000–$86,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is a full-time, exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This is a restricted position dependent on funding and contingent upon continued funding availability.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with on-site presence required as needed in accordance with UVA's remote work guidelines.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online by searching for requisition number R0088253.

Complete an application and attach the following required documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You may submit multiple documents in this field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal Applicants: Apply through your Workday profile by searching "Find Jobs."

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview process. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

For questions about the application process, please contact Bill Crane, HR Recruiter, at Xer5ff@virginia.edu.

Position Compensation Range: $74,922.00 - $149,843.00 Annual

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.