Data Scientist 1

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center seeks a highly analytical and inquisitive professional to join the Business Performance & Insights team within the Fiscal Services Department as a Data Scientist 1.

In this role, you will apply data science techniques to design, integrate, and manage critical financial and operational data that powers strategic decision-making across the Cancer Center. You will collaborate with stakeholders across departments to streamline reporting, enhance data quality, and develop predictive models, dashboards, and analytics that drive improvements in care delivery, resource utilization, and organizational performance.

With a strong foundation in statistical analysis, SQL, and data visualization (Tableau), you will ensure the accuracy and integrity of data systems while transforming complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that support the Cancer Center’s mission and strategic goals.

Data Integration & Management

• Lead the integration of healthcare financial and operational data from multiple source systems (e.g., Banner, Lawson, PMS, RCM, ERP) into Workday Adaptive Planning and other enterprise platforms.

• Establish and maintain appropriate data collection, storage, and governance procedures to ensure data integrity, consistency, and accuracy across integrated systems.

Advanced Analytics & Modeling

• Capture, mine, and analyze large healthcare data sets using advanced analytical techniques such as predictive modeling, clustering, pattern recognition, and statistical analysis.

• Develop, test, and operationalize machine learning and statistical models (e.g., linear regression, decision trees, random forest) to predict financial and operational outcomes.

• Continuously refine and validate models based on performance metrics and health system feedback.

Reporting & Visualization

• Design, build, and maintain complex reports, dashboards, and visual analytics within Workday Adaptive Planning and other BI tools tailored to finance and business user needs.

• Visualize and communicate analytical findings in a clear, compelling manner to stakeholders with varying levels of technical expertise.

• Develop and automate Excel-based and system-generated reports that translate raw data into actionable insights for leadership and operational teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with finance, clinical, and IT leadership teams to align data governance, financial reporting, and analytic strategies.

• Partner closely with Financial Analysts to ensure alignment between operational data and financial planning models.

• Champion the adoption of advanced analytics and data science practices across the institution.

Quality Assurance & Documentation

• Perform data validation, audit, and reconciliation routines to ensure data reliability and integrity across systems.

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation including data models, design specifications, user manuals, and system diagrams.

• Document code, model assumptions, and workflow modifications for transparency and reproducibility.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex operational needs and translate them into data-driven solutions.

• Expertise in financial data modeling, statistical analysis, and data visualization.

• Understanding of healthcare finance, revenue cycle, and operational data structures.

• Knowledge of current and emerging analytics technologies, data management principles, and programming methodologies.

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams.

Additional Requirements:

As part of the application process, candidates are asked to submit one sample work product that best demonstrates their technical and analytical skills relevant to this position. Acceptable examples include:

• A Tableau dashboard or visualization you created (screenshots or packaged workbook; data may be de-identified or simulated).

• A SQL query or script used to prepare or analyze data for reporting purposes.

• A brief project summary (1–2 pages) describing a financial or operational analytics project, including your role, tools used, and outcomes.

• A brief description or notebook output showing a predictive or statistical model they’ve built (e.g., forecasting clinic volumes, modeling costs, or identifying utilization trends).

Submitted materials should not include any proprietary, confidential, or patient-identifiable information. Candidates may use publicly available or self-generated data for demonstration purposes.

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico’s cancer patients from all across the state. And they partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. In 2024 they treated more than 15,000 patients in almost 105,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. A total of 2,075 patients participated in cancer clinical trials to study new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNM Cancer Center were awarded $38.3 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 750 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.

Website: unmhealth.org/cancer

See the Position Description for additional information.

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Experience developing, automating, and maintaining Tableau dashboards and visual analytics for operational or financial reporting.

• Proficiency in SQL for querying, joining, and transforming data from multiple enterprise systems (e.g., Banner, Lawson, PMS, RCM, ERP).

• Familiarity with Workday Adaptive Planning, including data integration, model management, and report development.

• Demonstrated experience applying statistical or predictive modeling techniques such as regression, clustering, or decision trees to real-world data.

• Working knowledge of healthcare financial and operational data, including revenue cycle, cost analysis, or productivity metrics.

• Knowledge of data governance principles, metadata documentation, and best practices for maintaining analytical transparency.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.