[Remote] Sr Data Scientist Job Details | Ascend Learning, LLC

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Ascend Learning is hiring a Senior Data Scientist to support its test security function. The role builds statistical and machine-learning models, reports, and dashboards to identify assessment security risks and inform investigations and leadership decisions.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement statistical models, anomaly detection algorithms, and machine learning pipelines to identify suspicious test-taking patterns, proxy testing, impersonation, and item exposure across large-scale assessment datasets
• Build and maintain predictive and classification models — including logistic regression, clustering, random forest, and NLP-based flagging — to surface security risks and prioritize investigation queues
• Independently prepare and present findings, dashboards, and security briefings to senior leadership — translating complex analytical outputs into clear, actionable narratives
• Author detailed analytical reports supporting security investigations, including methodology documentation, evidence summaries, and recommended actions
• Write and maintain complex Snowflake SQL and T-SQL — stored procedures, views, and optimized queries — across Snowflake and SQL Server environments, integrating data from disparate sources including NoSQL, data lakes, APIs, and external data providers; contributing to EDW Gold layer development for exam security use cases
• Design, build, and maintain Tableau dashboards that surface key security metrics, incident trends, and performance indicators for both operational teams and senior leadership
• Partner with Psychometricians, Data Engineering, IT security, and remote proctoring vendors to align on analytical requirements, data quality standards, and the technology landscape — ensuring security data is accurate, timely, and fit for analysis
• Convert ambiguous needs from Test Security, IT, Legal, and Operations into well-defined analytical requirements and data specifications, maintaining clear documentation of models and methodologies throughout

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Educational Measurement, or a closely related quantitative field
• 5+ years of experience in data analysis or data science with demonstrated progression in technical scope and complexity
• Expert-level SQL across both Snowflake and SQL Server — stored procedures, query optimization, and complex multi-source joins
• Proven experience building statistical models and applying machine learning techniques such as classification, clustering, and anomaly detection in a production or near-production context
• Proficiency in Python, R, Snowflake ML for statistical analysis and model development
• Experience building and publishing Tableau dashboards for operational and executive audiences
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex findings clearly and persuasively to non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership
• Strong business acumen with the ability to prioritize analytical work by impact and translate ambiguous questions into structured analytical frameworks
• Proven experience working cross-functionally with engineering, product, and IT teams and engaging with vendor technologies
• Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Master's degree preferred in a quantitative discipline
• Familiarity with psychometric methods
• Experience with remote proctoring platforms
• Exposure to Medallion/EDW architectures in Snowflake
• Background in test security, fraud detection, or behavioral analytics at scale

Benefits

• Hybrid schedule from the Leawood, KS or Burlington, MA office; remote candidates will be considered within the United States.
• Most regular, full-time employees are eligible to participate in an Ascend incentive bonus or sales plan.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company paid life Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Other wellness programs such as Headspace and Airvet
• Charitable matching program

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