Zooniverse Postbaccalaureate Data Analyst

Adler Planetarium • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Adler Planetarium is hiring a Zooniverse Postbaccalaureate Data Analyst for a nine-month, full-time, term-limited, grant-funded position. The role is based on Chicago’s Museum Campus and works closely with the Co-Director and Science Lead for Zooniverse, as well as team members at Adler, Oxford, and the University of Minnesota. The analyst will support platform data analysis and researchers leading projects on Zooniverse, including NASA researchers. The position is part of the Adler Planetarium Workers United, AFSCME Council 31.

The Zooniverse team is part of the Adler Planetarium’s Science Engagement Division. Zooniverse is a platform for distributed analysis of scientific data, with more than 3 million participants and projects across disciplines. The team designs, builds, and maintains platform infrastructure and features, supports researchers using Zooniverse tools, builds partnerships, and communicates with the public.

The typical schedule is 35 hours per week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with flextime. The hybrid arrangement provides a telecommuting option for two days per week and requires three days on-site at the museum. The target start date is January 2027, with flexibility to start earlier. Base pay is $37,500 for the nine-month term, based on an annual rate of $50,000.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in a scientific field and/or computer science; candidates should be recent graduates in astronomy, physics, computer science, math, or a related science or engineering discipline.
• Basic coding proficiency in Python or a similar language.
• Basic data analysis proficiency demonstrated through past research and/or project-based coursework.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and provide information to scientific and research staff.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency querying databases using SQL/PostgreSQL.
• Proficiency using the pandas data analysis library or an equivalent.
• Proficiency visualizing analysis results and using Jupyter Notebooks.
• Experience using and training machine learning models.
• Experience interacting with APIs and writing HTTP requests.
• Experience using Git/GitHub or other version control systems.
• Interest in people-powered research and improving the Zooniverse platform.
• A Master’s degree or current enrollment in a Master’s program is permitted.

Responsibilities

• Analyze Zooniverse platform data, representing contributions from registered users and more than one billion individual classifications.
• Provide data pulls, create reports, compute statistics, and visualize data to inform platform strategy.
• Contribute to cybersecurity measures through data analysis and monitoring.
• Use the Zooniverse API to configure workflows and advanced platform features in support of project research teams.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and answer questions from project research teams throughout their projects’ lifecycles.
• Improve documentation and training materials for internal Zooniverse team members and researchers using the platform.
• Contribute to NASA-Zooniverse events, workshops, and special initiatives, including the NASA Space Apps Challenge.

Benefits

• Eligible to accrue up to 15 vacation days per year.
• Three sick days as of the date of hire, with the ability to accrue up to 6.5 days per year.
• Seven Adler paid holidays.
• Four personal holidays, prorated for new hires starting after January 1.
• Paid family bereavement leave and jury duty.
• Paid parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Healthcare, dependent care, and commuter flexible spending accounts.
• Adler-paid short-term disability insurance.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with an Adler match, immediately 100% vested; eligible to enroll as of the date of hire.
• Employee Assistance Program resources for emotional, legal, and financial issues, including face-to-face, telephonic, and web-based services.
• Free subscription to the Calm Premium app.
• Employee loan program.
• Discounted onsite parking program.
• Free entrance to Chicago-area museums and cultural institutions.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flextime and a telecommuting option.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level