The posting
Data Science Lead: Personnel Health Research & Data Analytics, Military (Washington, D.C.)
WHO WE ARE: At Fors Marsh, we take on issues that matter. We are a team of researchers, strategists, and communicators working together to drive lasting change. We look at human behavior from all angles with a deep understanding of people and context to design solutions that influence decision-making and move people to action. Our work promotes health and well-being, shapes resilient communities, and builds effective and accountable institutions. We are a certified B Corporation and a Top Workplace for 7 consecutive years.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Fors Marsh is seeking an intelligent and motivated Researcher for a senior position with a background in quantitative social science or data science. This individual’s primary responsibility would be to support a portfolio of quantitative social science and data science research projects for our Personnel Health Research & Data Analysis (PHRDA) team. PHRDA bridges the gap between social science and data science, leveraging innovative analytics tools for research committed to improving the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for Service members and DoW personnel. We routinely synthesize diverse sources of information, including administrative, survey, and text data and distill complex information for policymakers. We also support a wide variety of data science and operational tasks that enable our clients to successfully and efficiently collect, integrate, manage, and maintain a variety of administrative and survey data sources.
This individual’s primary responsibility would include providing subject matter expertise and methodological expertise in areas such as machine learning, data wrangling, data management, advanced quantitative analysis, text analysis, automation, and artificial intelligence. This role will also involve overseeing a large project of foundational data science capabilities and will include leading a team of researchers, analysts, and data scientists as well as frequent engagement with clients. This individual should be equal parts social scientist, data scientist, and project manager. This job is best for someone who enjoys solving challenging problems with a large methodological toolkit, a high degree of intellectual curiosity, and thrives in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities include:
- Analytical and Technical Skills
- Apply sophisticated principles in the fields of data science, quantitative social science, and/or programming to social science research projects and data science operational projects
- Serve as the technical lead on research projects with a data science focus
- Designing analytic solutions to ambiguous research questions and goals that may include techniques such as multi-level modeling (e.g., cross-classified random effects, linear mixed effects), data reduction (e.g., PCA, factor analysis, clustering), predictive model selection (e.g., LASSO, Ridge), natural language processing, and/or machine learning techniques
- Interpret results from data analyses to identify patterns, solutions, and recommendations; distill complex analyses and associated results for technical and non-technical audiences
- Communicate trade-offs associated with analytic approaches to technical and non-technical audiences
- Oversee survey workflows focused on population specification and sample frame development, including identifying relevant data sources, cleaning, deduplication, and frame quality checks
- Leverage AI tools to accelerate research, analysis, and reporting; lead the development internal prototypes and proofs of concept; enhance client offerings and expand AI capabilities; train other team members to build further AI proficiency
- Oversee work in R, Python, and Databricks to execute automation tasks, R package creation, data wrangling, exploratory data analysis, and executing advanced analyses
- Project Management
- Oversee large, complex project to include developing task plans and timelines, implementing scope and financial controls, aligning staffing resources to project technical requirements, and ensure rigorous and timely delivery of all deliverables
- Lead a matrixed team of data scientists, researchers, and analysts to include delegating tasks and overseeing task and project completion, providing support, guidance, and mentorship to junior team members
- Collaborate with other project leaders and supervisors across the organization to accomplish project resourcing needs
- Client and Stakeholder Interaction and Communication
- Develop a deep understanding of client mission and objectives; directly interface with client teams and build strong, trusting relationships with clients to collaboratively accomplish project goals
- Ensure client satisfaction with all project deliverables
- Lead the development of client briefings and reports and mentor team members to deliver high-impact briefings to clients
- Oversee the preparation of reports for technical and non-technical audiences
- Respond to client requests for information and proposals and ad hoc requests
- Supervisory Responsibilities and Team Orientation
- Oversee a small team of data scientists and analysts
- Work collaboratively with a mixed team of data and social scientists, cultivate a productive, growth-oriented work environment, propel team development
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree required; PhD preferred in a heavily quantitative social science (e.g., sociology, political science, psychology), data science, or related field
- A minimum of four years of post-graduate applied research experience leading applied research projects
- Experience managing multiple concurrent work streams, delegating and overseeing tasks, and supervisory experience
- Experience interfacing directly with clients, overseeing high-quality deliverable creation, and ensuring projects align with client expectations and quality standards
- Proficiency with AI-enabled tools
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse data sources, including survey, personnel, administrative, and text data
- Working knowledge of survey workflows supporting population definition, sample frame construction, and feature table creation to assist in survey package and tool development (R and Python)
- Willingness and ability to learn new analytic approaches, methods, and research topic areas
- Strong verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to describe technical concepts and results to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot barriers as they arise
- Experience working in R/R Studio required
- Experience with Databricks required
- Experience with Python required
- Experience with SQL preferred
- Experience with Gitlab preferred
- Applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility criteria for access to sensitive information.
- Ability to work on-site in the Washington D.C. area 2-3 days a week.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and consent to a full background check due to our federal contract requirements.
We Offer:
Our benefits typically meet or exceed our competitors’ packages. What’s in it for you?
• Ability to make an impact on people’s lives, both internal and external to the organization.
• Top-tier health and dental covered at 100% for employee coverage.
• Additional vision, and long and short-term disability options.
• Our company culture, which values balance and allows each employee to take leave as they require it to balance the responsibilities of both their work and home lives without worrying about depleting their available leave hours.
• A floating holiday bank so you can celebrate the days you value.
• Generous matching retirement contributions and no vesting period starting the third month of employment.
• Dedicated training and development budgets to expand your expertise and grow your skillset.
• You can volunteer your way with paid time off.
• You can participate in Fors Marsh staff-led affinity groups.
• Our employees receive product and service discounts through the certified B Corp network.
Salary: $100,000-$120,000 annual
Internal Fors Marsh Career Map Title: Senior Scientist II
Location: Hybrid. Individuals are expected to go into a federal government building in Alexandria, VA, and work on-site 2-3 days a week during business hours. #LI-Hybrid
Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
