Data Analytics Expert
Project Description
The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Data Analytics Expert. UPLB, a premiere research university in the Philippines, is planning to develop a curriculum involving data science techniques. UPLB faculty are aware of the rise of data usage and the subsequent increase in handling and analyzing data in various research projects. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at UPLB took the initiative to create a general education undergraduate course on data science and a graduate degree on data science with applications in agriculture, environmental science, and other academic fields. The faculty members and researchers recognize the need to expand their knowledge and skills in the application of data science techniques in their respective fields, and they are keeping up with the trend using methodologies based on available resources and by their own inventiveness. The university, aware of the volume of data it generates, supports data science as a discipline and its applications to various fields of study. However, due to the lack of expertise, UPLB cannot be considered “data science ready”. Due to this challenge, the UPLB faculty have requested a PCRV to help with the development of instructional materials as well as to collaborate with and train university constituents on the use of data science methodologies.
The PCRV will serve as a technical expert for the university on data analytics and will work in close collaboration with the Institute of Statistics and the College of Arts and Sciences. The PCRV will specifically help with the development of a course outline for an undergraduate data science course and a curriculum for a Master’s of Science (MS) in the Data Science program. The PCRV will also act as an adjunct professor to help with the instruction of the current courses in data analytics and will help to review the current courses in data science. The long term goal for UPLB is to become a globally competitive graduate and research university contributing to national development.
Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in the Philippines together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Partner Information
University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
Required Skills
• High tolerance for ambiguity and high level of flexibility – some details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations
• MS in Data Science or related fields
• At least two years’ research or teaching experience in data science and allied disciplines, including, but not restricted to mathematical modeling and machine learning, data capture and statistical analysis (e.g., from drone image/video data and other sensor networks), decision support systems, etc. for agricultural or environmental applications
• Worked in the academe and industry or at least collaborated with the industry sector for at least two years
• Demonstrated ability to live and work in a multi-cultural setting
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated flexibility
The Peace Corps embraces and leverages the diversity of its volunteers as a reflection of America's diversity. Peace Corps Response is committed to reflecting the diversity of the United States in the professionals we send into the field to support the mission of world peace and friendship. Applicants with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Serving in Philippines
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Medical Considerations
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