Job Summary:

On-farm and applied agricultural field trials are critical to engaging innovative farmers and better understanding the implications for agricultural management and adoption of innovative practices. The Data Specialist will work with UW faculty and Extension educators to strengthen field trial design and provide data analysis support for applied field research projects. This work is intended to assist farmers and industry partners in research-based decision making to improve the economic, environmental and social sustainability of Wisconsin farms. This position will also work closely with faculty to develop and analyze data to support agronomic and nutrient management recommendations.
About Extension:
UW-Madison's Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts. The Agriculture Institute is one of six Institutes in the Division.
About the Agriculture Institute's Crops and Soils Program:
The Agriculture Institute's Crops and Soils Program works hand-in-hand with row crop, forage, fruit and vegetable producers to implement best practices for every aspect of the growing phase. The Crops and Soils program provides timely resources and information to help Wisconsin crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
About this Position:
The Data Specialist position is designed to work with crop producers and agribusiness professionals statewide to solve production challenges and incorporate new research findings into outreach and educational materials that improve the efficiency and profitability of crop production.
Specific roles of the position will include:
- Consult with colleagues on aspects of project design and data analysis in agricultural field research.
- Develop systems for efficient data analysis and communication of results to farm and industry partners.
- Compile and analyze existing datasets in collaboration with UW faculty to communicate findings and make management recommendations.
- The ideal candidate will have experience with developing and evaluating educational programming and a track record of building positive relationships.
The preferred location for this position is Madison, WI, but is flexible based on programmatic needs, successful candidate's preferences, and availability of suitable space.
The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non-biased, and inclusive organization. (https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/) As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities:

Contributes to a research agenda set by a lead researcher by preparing data sets, analyzing them using data science techniques, and presenting the results. May work independently or as part of a team.

• 30% Prepares data sets for analysis including cleaning/quality assurance, transformations, restructuring, and integration of multiple data sources
• 30% Independently identifies and implements appropriate data science techniques to find data patterns and answer research questions chosen by the lead researcher including data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning, and data mining
• 10% Organizes and automates project steps for data preparation and analysis
• 10% Composes and assembles reproducible workflows and reports to clearly articulate patterns to researchers and/or administrators
• 10% Documents approaches to address research questions and contributes to the establishment of reproducible research methodologies and analysis workflows
• 10% Communicate plans, activities, and achievements to Program Managers, partners, and relevant stakeholders

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
Master's Degree in a field related to this position's focus
Preferred
PhD in a field related to this position's focus

Qualifications:

Required:
- Three or more years relevant professional experience;
- Demonstrated skill with R or comparable statistical software
- Demonstrated skill in data analysis and interpretation.
- Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing, and applying evidence-based information and research findings;
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, through a variety of technologies;
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity.
Preferred:
- Ability to conduct linear and non-linear regression analysis
- Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting
- Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships
- Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific or technical materials in written and verbal forms for a variety of lay and other audiences

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $65,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/).

Additional Information:

Division of Extension headquarters are located within Madison, WI but the position location is flexible and will be determined based on programmatic needs and successful candidate's preferences and availability of suitable space.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a remote work policy that offers the potential for remote or hybrid work. More about that policy within the Division of Extension can be found here: https://kb.wisc.edu/extension/113536. 
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background.

Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.

Contact:

Anne Pfeiffer
anne.pfeiffer@wisc.edu608-263-1095
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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Official Title:

Data Scientist II(RE021)

Department(s):

A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/AGR/CROPS/CROPS&SOIL

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

296309-AS

 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.