Posting Detail Information

Working Title Data Scientist: Ecosystem GHG Data and Modeling Consortium

Position Location Fort Collins, CO

Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position Yes

Posting Number 202301118AP

Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week

Proposed Annual Salary Range $90,000 – 115,000 Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees in the following University benefit areas:

https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/. To see the value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visit our compensation calculator – https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/.

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 07/21/2023

Description of Work Unit

The Department of Soil and Crop Sciences is focused on education, research, and outreach to solve the world’s most pressing food production issues and crucial matters about Earth, its ecosystems, and their services. Our faculty and staff apply research-based solutions to benefit Colorado and the world. We offer academic programs to prepare students to address national and global crop production, sustainability, and environmental quality challenges such as waste management, water quality, and reclamation of drastically disturbed lands. There are numerous opportunities for students to be involved in cutting edge research related to global food production and ecosystem function and protection.

The Soil Carbon Solutions Center ( SCSC ) was formed in 2021 to support breakthrough research and development of new technologies for promoting soil carbon sequestration and improving overall soil health in agricultural systems. The SCSC’s goals include providing end-to-end discovery and implementation of soil-based solutions, including the development of new soil CO2 removal technologies, accurate low-cost quantification systems, market analysis and policy design, education, extension and farmer training to spur adoption of best carbon sequestering practices. We established the SCSC to leverage the unique expertise and leadership of researchers across CSU to overcome implementation barriers and bring soil carbon solutions to scale.

Position Summary

The Soil Carbon Solutions Center is recruiting a lead data scientist to build data tools and manage the data that support the digital GHG tools consortium. This position can be remote or in-person, with a preference for ability to work in-person part or all of the time. Responsibilities will include:

• Development and support of data management infrastructure and web resources

• Generating and maintaining professional documentation (high quality, up to date).

• Coordination of team programming and data management efforts

• QA/QC – data filtering and ‘cleanup’

• Daily operation of web-based services

• Continuous update of databases – gathering newest data from publications, reports

• Support hosting datasets from other researchers and managing data access

Required Job Qualifications

• Research Associate II: B.S./B.A. degree + 3 years professional experience or Master’s degree.
• Research Associate III : Research Associate II + 5 years experience or B.A. /B.S. degree + 5 years related experience or Master’s degree + 2 years experience or Ph.D.
• Research Associate IV: Research Associate III + 10 years experience or B.A. /B.S. degree + 10 years of related experience or Master’s degree + 5 years experience or Ph.D. + 2 years of experience.
• All applicants
• 3+ years of professional data science or software development experience.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Java, Python, Go, R, SQL )
• Knowledge of data science best practices and some experience with the software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source code management, build processes, testing, and operations
• Experience in database development, pipeline architecture, automation, CI/CD, and cloud computing
• Ability to communicate across an interdisciplinary team

  Preferred Job Qualifications

• Proficient command of open source programming languages (e.g. Python, Java, R, Julia)
• Writing and maintaining excellent code
• Database development and warehousing experience
• Expertise in workflow management systems like the targets package in R or Luigi in Python
• Expertise with geospatial analysis of large public datasets
• Experience creating data visualizations
• Leveraging data engineering expertise to work autonomously and in collaboration with consortium scientists, data scientists, and software engineers and as part of a collaborative coding community
• Expertise in workflow management systems
• Working knowledge within the field of machine learning and high-performance computing, with special attention to time-series machine learning models (e.g. LSTM , GRU ) and code bases (TyTorch or Tensoflow)
• Leadership experience onboarding people on to complex coding projects and training new model users
• Experiencing building new products and platforms
• Some experience working with climate change relevant disciplines and data and a passion for addressing climate change

  Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category Data management functions, database operation and maintenance

Duty/Responsibility

Database stewardship tasks, including data processing, database creation and management, and close collaboration with software and modeling teams to provide data products and create access infrastructure for consortium members

Percentage Of Time 50

Job Duty Category Data team management

Duty/Responsibility

Oversee grad students, and other data scientists as they work on the same or related projects with a focused goal on improving workflows

Percentage Of Time 25

Job Duty Category Help desk support

Duty/Responsibility

Provide support and analysis for inbound requests from consortium and Soil Carbon Solutions Center members

Percentage Of Time 15

Job Duty Category Professional Development

Duty/Responsibility

Allocate time for professional development opportunities related to broader job responsibilities, including continuing education and upskilling, management training, and other similar opportunities

Percentage Of Time 10

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but for full consideration, all materials must be received by Friday, July 21, 2023. Applicants should upload the following: (1) A cover letter addressing your qualifications; (2) resume/CV; and (3) contact information of three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. For inquiries about the position, contact Search Chair Jane.Zelikova@colostate.edu. For additional information about Colorado State University, consult the university’s website at www.colostate.edu

Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search Contact Jane.Zelikova@colostate.edu

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested 3

Maximum Requested 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume or CV

  Optional Documents