Principal Data Scientist

University Staff

Description

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Adult Diabetes Division

Job Title: Principal Data Scientist

Position #:00847206 – Requisition #: 39682

Job Summary:

This full-time Data Scientist position in the laboratory of Dr. Aaron Michels will play a key role in advancing translational research focused on immune-mediated diseases by designing, implementing, and maintaining robust data analytics pipelines. This position is responsible for managing and integrating complex clinical, immunologic, genomic, and laboratory datasets; applying advanced statistical, machine learning, and computational methods to uncover meaningful biological insights. The Data Scientist will also contribute to study design, data quality control, visualization, and reproducible reporting of results. Strong communication skills are essential, as the role involves translating analytical findings into clear, actionable results for manuscripts, grants, and scientific presentations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain scalable data pipelines for clinical, immunologic, genomic, and laboratory datasets generated in Dr. Aaron Michels’ laboratory.
• Apply advanced statistical, bioinformatics, and machine learning methods to analyze high-dimensional biomedical data such as T cell receptor sequences and address research questions related to type 1 diabetes.
• Collaborate closely with clinicians, laboratory scientists, and investigators to support study design, data interpretation, and hypothesis generation.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, documentation, and reproducibility of analyses.
• Create clear visualizations, dashboards, and summary reports to communicate findings to diverse scientific and clinical audiences.
• Contribute to manuscripts, grant applications, and scientific presentations by providing analytical expertise and data-driven insights.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings after an initial 90-day probationary period where you are required to work fully in person.

Why Join Us:

he Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC) specializes in type 1 diabetes research and care for children and adults. Clinicians, clinical researchers, and basic biomedical scientists collaborate at the BDC to find the most effective treatment, prevention, and cure for type 1 diabetes. Founded by Marvin and Barbara Davis in 1978, it is currently one of the largest diabetes institutes in the world.

The Michels Laboratory (www.michelslab.com) is a nationally recognized, NIH‑funded research program focused on uncovering the immune‑mediated mechanisms driving type 1 diabetes. With over 15 years of continuous NIH support, the laboratory has assembled uniquely rich, longitudinal datasets from individuals at risk for type 1 diabetes, newly diagnosed patients, and well‑matched controls. These datasets span demographics, genetics, autoantibody profiles, and T cell receptor sequencing. A central goal of the lab is to leverage these data to understand and predict disease progression across stages of type 1 diabetes, offering a rare opportunity to conduct impactful, data‑intensive translational research with direct relevance to human disease.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offerexceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, Computational Biology, Data Science, Computer Science or related field
• Three (3) years of professional level research and bioinformatic analyses experience

*Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.*

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, Data Science, Computer Science or related field
• Four (4) years of experience analyzing data using high-performance computing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of translational biomedical research, including immunology, autoimmunity, and type 1 diabetes, with experience analyzing clinical and laboratory data.
• Strong skills in statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and machine learningapplied to high‑dimensional biomedical datasets (e.g., clinical, genomic, immunologic, and T cell receptor sequencing data).
• Proficiency in building and maintaining scalable, reproducible data pipelines using modern data science tools (e.g., R, Python, SQL).
• Ability to ensure data quality, integrity, documentation, and reproducibility, and to create clear visualizations and analytical reports.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience contributing to manuscripts, grants, and multidisciplinary research teams.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

• A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum vitae / Resume
• Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Aaron Michels, MD; aaron.michels@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until April 27, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (*or hiring range*) for this position has been established as $72,560 - $97,230.

The above salary range (*or hiring range*) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, List of References

Job Category: Research Services

Primary Location: Aurora

Department: U0001 - Anschutz Med Campus or Denver - 21775 - SOM-BDC Adult

Schedule: Full-time

Posting Date: Apr 21, 2026

Unposting Date: Ongoing

Posting Contact Name: Aaron Michels

Posting Contact Email: aaron.michels@cuanschutz.edu

Position Number: 00847206