Data Scientist

Data Scientist

• ASPI is looking for a high-performing individual to join our Cyber, Technology & Security Program as a Data Scientist
• ASPI is one of the Indo-Pacific’s top performing and most influential think tanks
• Join a progressive organisation with a vibrant organisational culture

About ASPI

ASPI is an independent, non-partisan think tank that produces expert and timely advice for strategic, defence and policy leaders and decision makers. ASPI is one of the most authoritative and widely quoted contributors to public discussion of strategic policy issues in the Indo-Pacific region and a recognised Australian voice in international discussion on defence, strategic, national security, cyber, critical technology, climate, and foreign interference issues.

ASPI Cyber, Technology and Security is a dynamic research team focused on delivering high-quality analysis and insights. Collecting and analysing open-source data is an important research tool for us. 

As we expand our research, we are looking for a skilled Data Scientist to join our team and provide researchers and analysts with technical support in extracting, categorising, analysing, and visualising open-source data.

About the Role

ASPI is looking for an inquisitive and problem-solving open-source Data Scientist who will be responsible for developing and implementing automated techniques for a variety of open-source data collection requirements. 

Your work will directly contribute to ASPI publications, including research reports, public-facing databases (such as techtracker.aspi.org.au) and high-level dialogues.

We are open to experienced Data Scientists and those beginning their career. Role equivalency would be between levels 3 – 7 of Data Science category of SFIA 8.

Also see Australian Skills Classification – Data Scientist for an occupation profile.

Duty Statement

As a Data Scientist, you will:

• Propose, create and deliver innovative data science analysis on topics in cyber, technology and security. 
• Identify, create, manage, and optimise databases, ensure data integrity and accessibility.
• Apply data visualisation techniques to represent findings clearly and compellingly, aiding in the analysis and presentation of insights.
• Work with analysts and deliver tailored solutions to data collection requirements for research objectives.

About You

Essential Criteria

• Proficiency in Rprogramming, with abilities to develop data pipelines to automate data cleaning, analysis and visualisation. 
• Innovation and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a remote team, managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
• Fluent in English.

Other desirable skills/experience include:

• Familiarity with website development, including DOM, JavaScript, AJAX  and Docker.
• Familiarity with Git and Azure. 
• Python programming.
• Skills in data visualisation, with experience in using tools like R libraries (e.g. tidyverse) or Python libraries (e.g. Matplotlib, Seaborn). 
• Familiarity or an interest to learn Natural Language Processing tools.
• Website development and data scraping techniques and tools.
• Ability to express plain-English insights from complex quantitative data analysis. 

What we Offer

• Flexible working hours to accommodate your schedule.
• Opportunity to contribute to impactful research and engage with senior national security officials from Australia and overseas.
• Part of a high-performing, diverse team that seeks to inform Australian policymaking.
• Appropriate compensation, commensurate with experience.

The successful candidate will be offered a remuneration package at a level aligned with their demonstrated skills and expertise. At any one time, ASPI has multiple people working at the institute who are on unpaid leave or secondments from the Australian Public Service (APS). Similar arrangements could be negotiated for this role, pending approval from the APS department/agency.

How to Apply

1. All applications should be submitted to ****@aspi.org.au including the following documents:

• a letter of no more than one page in length, linking your motivation and skills to the above requirements;
• Resume/CV including two current referee contact details.

ASPI promotes a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and values unique contributions of all people. The Institute strongly encourages women and people from diverse cultural backgrounds including applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to apply.

The closing date for applications is 15 April 2024– an early application is advised as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if suitable applications are received.