The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Graduate Division is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to enhance and maintain its Course Match registration system, a critical component for the MBA academic experience. The role aims to improve student experience and office productivity through advanced analytics and algorithmic solutions.
Requirements
- Strong programming proficiency in Python is required, including experience developing modular, well-documented, and production-grade code.
- Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and test-driven development is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in algorithmic systems or large-scale computational frameworks, with hands-on experience in one or more of the following: heuristic search methods (e.g., Tabu Search), combinatorial optimization, mixed-integer programming (MIP), or algorithmic market design.
- Experience working within multi-component software environments and integrating external libraries, APIs, or platforms.
- Familiarity with systems integration and data engineering practices is preferred.
- Experience supporting or participating in vendor evaluations or third-party system integrations is strongly preferred.
- Applied experience with core data science methods, including statistical modeling, predictive analytics, and machine learning.
Responsibilities
- Lead development and ownership of Course Match
- Serve as the primary developer and systems owner for Course Match registration system, including algorithm and infrastructure integration.
- Design and implement enhancements to Course Match’s algorithmic infrastructure, including optimization tuning, performance analysis, heuristic development (e.g., Tabu Search), mixed-integer programming (MIP), and system diagnostics.
- Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to support the integration of a new optimization engine.
- Contribute to high-impact academic affairs and data science initiatives beyond Course Match, including AI integration, process automation, and machine learning.
- Build robust Python-based solutions that promote reusability, automation, and scalability.
- Develop and maintain analytics infrastructure and automation pipelines to support data workflows across the MBA Program Office and Wharton Computing.
Other
- This role is a two-year appointment, with the potential for continuation.
- Master’s degree and 1-2 years of experience in a quantitative field such as Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, or a related discipline is required; however, a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience is strongly preferred.
- Ability to engage with external vendors on technical system design, performance review, and implementation.
- Proficiency with tools such as R, SQL, and Power BI is a plus.
- Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made.
