Senior Data Scientist

Under the general direction of the Computational and Data Scientist Supervisor, the Senior Data Scientist supports strategically important initiatives within UC Davis Health’s Health Analytics Core (HAC). This role focuses on applying advanced computational and analytical methods—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, time-series modeling, and large language models—to develop, evaluate, and translate data-driven solutions into clinical, operational, and research environments.

About the role

The Senior Data Scientist leads and contributes to a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge, collaborative data science projects. Responsibilities include delivering direct analytical and modeling support for HAC initiatives, providing consultative expertise for projects across UC Davis Health, and designing scalable, reusable data science infrastructure, methodologies, software, and tools. These reusable assets form the foundation for the systematic and sustainable application of data science across UC Davis Health.

The Senior Data Scientist adapts and advances statistical, machine learning, and computational techniques to address complex, real-world healthcare challenges—often in settings where established analytical approaches do not yet exist. This role drives data-enabled, multidisciplinary initiatives and requires ongoing learning, innovation, and problem solving in close collaboration with clinicians, operational leaders, and researchers across UC Davis Health and the UC Davis campus.

The Senior Data Scientist also partners closely with teams in UCDH Information Technology, including the Data Provisioning Core, Health Computing Core, and application development teams, to operationalize and deploy analytics solutions into production environments.

Responsibilities

• 60% - Project Support: Deliver direct analytical and modeling support for HAC initiatives, applying advanced computational and analytical methods to develop data-driven solutions.
• 15% - Infrastructure Development: Design scalable, reusable data science infrastructure, methodologies, software, and tools to support systematic and sustainable data science applications.
• 15% - Communication & Coordination: Provide consultative expertise for projects across UC Davis Health, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, operational leaders, and researchers.
• 10% - Training & Teaching: Contribute to the development of training and educational materials on data science topics, methods, and technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a data-analytic or equivalent discipline (e.g., Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Information Science or a data-driven disciplinary field) and/or equivalent experience/training.
• 3 years’ experience in healthcare data science or a comparable field.
• Hands-on data science problem solving with real-world, complex data sets. Experience applying machine learning, predictive analytics, time series analysis, natural language processing, and other advanced analytic and statistical techniques to model complex systems.
• Competency with advanced machine learning methodologies including traditional machine learning, deep learning, time series modeling, and large language models.
• Verbal and written communication skills for research, technical, and lay audiences.
• Problem-solving and data manipulation skills, including the ability to interpret complex healthcare data and aggregate, reorganize, and pivot data to find new and meaningful insights.
• Fluency in the Python programming language and competency using Python’s standard machine learning libraries, with a willingness to learn other programming languages such as R and SQL.
• Competency with code management best practices, including the use of common code management applications (e.g., GitHub).
• Initiative to advance skills and knowledge as needed to fulfill assigned tasks and projects, including learning new methods and technologies.
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently, including sharing code, documentation, and conducting reproducible analyses.
• Familiarity with project management and process improvement principles, concepts, and methodologies.
• Strong skills in communication of analytic methods and results, including data visualization (Tableau, Power BI, etc.).
• Ability to design and conduct rigorous experiments to ensure the safety, quality, fairness, and robustness of advanced analytics solutions being implemented in the organization.
• Ability to work within deadlines and manage competing priorities, as well as remain flexible to meet the overall goals of the department.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a data-analytic discipline, or in a disciplinary field with significant data science background.
• Experience with software development, version control, unit testing, and portability, including best practices in software engineering/programming for reproducibility.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams to solve data-driven, cross-cutting problems.
• Experience developing training and educational materials on data science topics, methods, and/or technologies.
• Experience working with clinicians and/or health system operational leaders on data science initiatives.
• Fluency in additional programming languages including R, C, and SQL.
• Familiarity with both relational and non-relational database management systems.
• Knowledge of data-driven research, scholarly communication, and the technical and social aspects of the research data lifecycle.
• Knowledge of healthcare workflows, processes, and clinical terminology.
• Competency in agentic AI and related application development, including experience designing, building, and deploying AI-driven systems such as LLM-based applications, autonomous agents, and intelligent workflows.

Department Overview

The Health Analytics Core (HAC) is one of three core teams within Enterprise Analytics and Data Services (EADS) and supports initiatives spanning all mission areas of UC Davis Health. HAC's work focuses on the development, evaluation, monitoring, and governance of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence models for use in clinical, operational, and research settings.

HAC is organized into project-focused, cross-functional analytics teams that include lead investigators or project champions, analysts, project managers, data scientists, and biostatisticians. These teams may also collaborate with industry partners on enterprise-sanctioned initiatives. Through this team-based model, HAC delivers high-impact, end-to-end analytics solutions aligned with institutional priorities.

In addition to providing project-specific core services, HAC works closely with the UC Davis Health Analytics Oversight Committee (AOC) to establish best practices, standards, and operating procedures. These efforts guide the safe, responsible, and effective development, deployment, and use of analytic models in both clinical care and clinical research across UC Davis Health.

Pay

Salary range: $9,747.50 - $20,107.50 per month.

Schedule

• Shift: Monday - Friday
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Location: UCDHAS Building (HSP165)
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work).

Benefits

• High-quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs.
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family.
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave.
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources.
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services.
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, and legal coverage.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles.
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans.