About the organization
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data organization (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping institution. The ACLED team collects conflict information, conducts analysis to describe, explore, and test conflict scenarios, and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public. ACLED’s work is regularly used to inform journalism, academic research, and public discourse on conflict, and to support 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, fully remote position.
This position is open to nationals of any country. For more information, please review the Applicant FAQs. Please submit your salary range for consideration.
Specific roles and responsibilities
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
Adapt large language models for ACLED use cases, including question-answering, translation, and classification
Build, deploy, and monitor web scrapers
Engage in data preparation for analysis or bespoke projects
Other ad hoc data science tasks
Skills and competencies
Required:
Advanced R and Python skills
1+ years of 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 supervisor based in US time zones.
Fluency in English
Bachelor’s degree is required, but a Master’s is 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 version control via git and GitHub
Familiarity with cloud-based computing
Familiarity with additional programming languages beyond R and Python, such as Javascript or Julia
Familiarity with web scraping libraries and frameworks, such as Scrapy, BeautifulSoup, Playwright.js, or others
Experience with a remote work environment
How to apply
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter detailing qualifications, experience, and salary requirements through this link.
Further information on the organization is available online at acleddata.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Closing date: 29 Dec 2024
