Data Scientist

A data scientist manipulates and processes data using data-oriented programming languages. A data scientist is an expert who combines statistical analysis and computational skills in order to derive insights from data and assist decision-making. They are often said to be between statistics and computer science as they have a deeper understanding of statistics than a computer scientist and more programming expertise than a statistician. Data scientists are versatile professionals—capable of applying their skills to various industries. They have a hands-on understanding of R, statistics and mathematics, as this forms the basis of data analysis and machine learning.

Several other occupations involving the use of ICT to extract or structure information, such as data scientists, data engineers and data miners are not adequately dealt with in ISCO-08, and are classified inconsistently elsewhere. The US SOC 2018 classifies ‘Data scientist’ under 15-2000 ‘Mathematical Science Occupations’, Whereas the classification of European Skills/Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classifies ‘Data scientist’ under ISCO-08 unit group 2511 ‘Systems Analysts’. There is therefore a need for consistent definitions of data scientist and data engineer and also a discussion and agreement on whether they differ from existing occupations (e.g. Statisticians, Data Analysts, Systems Analysts), and therefore require separate unit group codes. – 20 th International Conference of Labor Statisticians Geneva, 10-19 October 2018