2022 Student Data Scientists, Methodologists & Analysts (Nov 2021)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is currently seeking several Student Data Scientists, Student Methodologists and Student Analysts to join our Statistical Data Integration Division and Methodology Division. Positions are available in our Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices.

This is an opportunity to develop practical experience in the growing Data Science field, working on projects to inform and benefit the Australian community.

These positions will be casual APS3 roles with an hourly rate of $36.76 (inclusive of 20% leave loading). We are seeking students who are available to work full-time or part-time over the university break – December to February. Then you would be available an average of at least 2 days a week over a period of at least 3 months – March to June.  This average could be achieved in a flexible way, through increased hours during semester breaks, and decreased (or zero) hours during peak exam/study periods. 

What We Are Looking For

• a passion for data
• experience with a statistical programming language, e.g. SAS, Python, R, Matlab
• conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills
• interpersonal and communication skills, including an ability to work effectively in a team
• good judgement and the ability to organise, prioritise and complete tasks.

Studies in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Science and Engineering all have relevance to these roles, but we are open to candidates from a range of backgrounds.

What you will do

As a Student Data Scientist you will be:

• working with and understanding large datasets, including cleaning, coding and standardising data items
• linking survey, Census and administrative data to help create the Multi-Agency Data Integration Project (MADIP) and Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Enivronment (BLADE) data assets
• observing and implementing ABS data security policies and procedures to preserve the privacy of the individuals represented in the data
• building data products for use by researchers including the derivation of new data items for specific analytical needs
• reviewing and optimising existing code and processes to improve operational efficiency.

As a Student Methodologist you will be:

• investigating reinforcement learning for agent models
• investigating probabilistic rules for data validation and editing
• investigating other modelling techniques that maximise the value of data.

As a Student Analyst you will be:

• working with and understanding analytical output
• assessing analytical output for disclosure risk to maintain confidentiality of individuals represented in the data
• evaluating the techniques used to assess analytical output for disclosure risk.