• Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) - ODVCA

• This is a full-time fixed term position through to December 2027 with salary in the range $115,645 - $129,654 (HEW 8), plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%.

• Drive UQ's strategic response to AI in education and directly influence senior management decisions.

• Join a passionate, high-impact team of data analysts/scientists dedicated to solving complex, University-wide challenges.

• Based at our St Lucia campus

The Senior Principal Data Scientist will play a critical role in UQ's strategic Lead through Learning initiative, driving the University's response to artificial intelligence in education. You will apply advanced data solutions and rigorous analysis of UQ systems data to inform senior management decision-making, guide the design of customised interventions, and ensure the continuous improvement of practices related to responsible AI use and academic integrity.

Key responsibilities will include: 

Data Analysis and Strategic Decision Support

• Apply a range of analytical techniques (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) to solve complex business challenges. Your primary focus is gathering, transforming, and analysing UQ systems data to directly support high-level strategic decision-making.

Data Integrity and Quality Control

• Identify, assemble, and pre-process new or merged data sources collected through various methods. You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data through rigorous quality control processes.

Reporting, Communication, and Visualization

• Lead the reporting and communication of findings derived from data analysis. This includes the development of clear visualisations and dashboards to support data interpretation and strategic decision-making across the University.

Stakeholder Consultation and Research Leadership

• Consult and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, particularly in relation to conducting research-oriented initiatives. You will be strategically responsible for presenting research findings and influencing senior leadership.

• Postgraduate qualifications (or progress towards one, combined with extensive relevant experience) in data analysis, learning analytics, or educational psychology. You have extensive experience in undertaking sophisticated analyses of structured and/or unstructured data to solve complex business challenges.

• Advanced expertise and extensive experience in the use of analytical tools such as R, Python, Business Objects, Power BI, Plotly (Dash), and similar software for data transformation and analysis.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including extensive experience preparing analytical reports. You must have the ability to effectively liaise with and present complex information to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• Proven ability to work productively while managing multiple tasks under time pressure. Experience conducting analytical work in the higher education sector is strongly preferred.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment, and may be required to complete background checks including, criminal history and education checks. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.  

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community. 

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as: 

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave, 17% superannuation contributions, 17.5% annual leave loading.

• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight.

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family.

• Cheap parking, On campus childcare and Salary packaging options.