Data Scientist

🏫 Institution: University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)
📍 Location: Butaro
✈️ Travel: Occasional travel to Kigali, Rwanda
🏢 Department: Centre for Population Health (CPH)
👨‍💼 Reports To: Chair, Centre for Population Health

Program Overview

The Centre for Population Health (CPH) at University of Global Health Equity serves as a hub for research, education, training, and community service aimed at improving population health in Rwanda and globally.

Its flagship initiative is the Human Development and Demographic Surveillance System (HD2SS), launched in September 2025 in Butaro. The program generates longitudinal data on disease patterns, exposures, and human development indicators, supporting research and public health policy development.

Position Overview

The Data Scientist will serve as the technical lead for the HD2SS program, responsible for:

• Database design

• Data pipeline development

• Data systems maintenance

This role requires a hands-on professional capable of supporting research operations, field data systems, and analytical work while linking field operations, data engineering, and research activities.

Key Responsibilities

Data Engineering & Systems

• Manage and expand the HD2SS PostgreSQL relational database

• Oversee ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes for survey data

• Develop and maintain data processing scripts

• Implement systems to track vital events including:

  • births

  • deaths (including verbal autopsy)

  • migrations

• Link HD2SS datasets with external health facility records

• Support secure server management and data backups with the UGHE IT team

Field Operations & Data Management

• Support development of data capture tools using Survey Solutions

• Strengthen data cleaning and quality control protocols

• Maintain unique study identifiers

• Work with field data collectors and researchers to improve data quality

• Collaborate with research teams and external partners to develop data collection procedures

• Develop tools for correcting data errors such as duplicate records

Data Analysis & Research

• Support data analysis for research publications and reports

• Prepare clean, well-documented datasets

• Create data visualizations and statistical tables

• Implement algorithms for record linkage and deduplication

Training & Academic Support

• Build capacity in data management and analysis within the research team

• Provide teaching support for MBBS and MGHD students

• Supervise interns and research assistants

• Participate in project meetings and institutional research activities

Qualifications

Required

Education

• Master’s degree or higher in:

  • Computer Science

  • Statistics

  • Data Science

  • Related quantitative field

(Equivalent experience may substitute for a master’s degree.)

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in:

  • database design

  • data pipeline development

• Strong programming skills in:

  • Python

  • SQL

• Experience with relational database systems

Core Competencies

• Ability to translate research objectives into technical systems

• Strong understanding of quantitative research and epidemiology workflows

• High attention to detail and data quality

• Ability to handle evolving research and technical challenges

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines

• Strong English communication skills (written and spoken)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with longitudinal datasets

• Familiarity with survey design and field data collection

• Experience working in public health or research environments

• Experience working in low- or middle-income country settings

• Familiarity with Survey Solutions software

• Experience with Git or version control systems

• Knowledge of Kinyarwanda

How to Apply

Applicants should submit:

1️⃣ Resume
2️⃣ Cover letter explaining relevant technical experience and motivation
3️⃣ Names and contact information of three professional references
4️⃣ Copies of all degree certificates

📄 Submission Instructions

Upload:

• Cover letter and degree certificates as a single PDF file

• Under the “Additional Files” section on the application page.