The project:
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping project. The ACLED team conducts analysis to describe, explore, and test conflict scenarios and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public. ACLED material is regularly used to inform journalism, academic research, and public discourse on conflict, and to support the work of practitioners and policymakers. ACLED is the highest quality and most widely used real-time data and analysis source on political violence and protest around the world.
The Role:
ACLED is recruiting a Junior Data Scientist to assist with data science projects. The Junior Data Scientist will work closely with ACLED’s Data Scientist and Head of Data Science. This is a full-time position, fully remote position.
The Junior Data Scientist will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Assisting the Data Scientist in the application of statistical, machine learning, and natural language processing methods to specific questions using ACLED data
- Update, monitor, and help improve ACLED’s existing machine learning models
- Use tools such as R Shiny to build and maintain both client-facing and internal applications that aggregate ACLED data and analytical outputs
- Engage in data preparation for analysis or bespoke projects
- Other ad hoc data science tasks
Skills and competencies:
- Required:
- Advanced R skills
- Advanced R Shiny skills
- 1+ years experience manipulating large datasets
- Strong analytical background, including statistics and machine learning
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Experience working to deadlines with limited supervision
- An extremely high level of attention to detail
- Flexible team player, especially across a remote, global team. Willingness to work with a team mostly based in US time zones.
- Fluency in English
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred. Relevant work and/or research experience may substitute for a Master’s degree.
- Preferred:
- Familiarity with ACLED’s data and methodology
- Research focus or professional experience in conflict research or peacebuilding
- Familiarity with Tableau
- Familiarity with geospatial data and analysis using GIS software or a programming language
- Familiarity with version control via git and GitHub
- Familiarity with cloud-based computing
- Familiarity with additional programming languages beyond R, such as JavaScript, Python, Julia, or others
- Experience with a remote work environment
Applications:
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter detailing qualifications, experience, and salary requirements through our career portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are advised to apply early.
Further information on the project is available online at acleddata.com.
Please note that this position is fully remote and can be done from anywhere, there is no specific country requirement for that.
