Data Scientist

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

The post is in the Statistics and Data Analytics Division of the Department for Economics and Data Analytics (DEDA), IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector. This Division is responsible for providing accurate, comprehensive and timely statistical information on the performance of the intellectual property (IP) system worldwide; and a variety of data analytics services that support research, business transformation, operational and administrative functions within WIPO.

b. Purpose Statement

The Data Scientist will contribute to the development and modernization of WIPO’s statistical and analytical outputs, supporting the delivery of high-quality, transparent, and internationally comparable IP statistics. The role will support analytical and digital initiatives, applying advanced analytics and AI/ML to help deliver actionable insights for Member States and senior management, with special focus on insights to inform strategies aimed at increasing the use of WIPO’s global IP systems. This position will also help promote best practices in data governance and analytics and support the Division’s strategic and digital transformation priorities.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Director of Statistics.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent works in close cooperation with colleagues within the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector and other WIPO sectors, in particular with PCT, Madrid and Hague registries, as well as with internal stakeholders involved in data production, IT systems, digital platforms and policy analysis. The role may also involve interaction with national and regional IP offices.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Implement and enhance internal and external statistical reporting tools in line with the Division's standards, ensuring accessibility, transparency, and clarity in the interpretation of IP statistics.

b. Build and maintain assigned web-based dashboards, data access platforms, and analytics pipelines, in collaboration with relevant WIPO sectors, to support monitoring, analysis and decision-making related to system usage and growth.

c. Carry out defined analytical workstreams within statistical and data science projects, applying advanced analytical techniques, including machine learning, LLMs, and predictive modeling where appropriate, to help identify drivers, barriers and opportunities for increased uptake of WIPO services.

d. Perform data analysis using relevant tools (e.g., SQL, R, Python) and translate results into actionable insights for Member States and senior management, including insights to inform policy, operational and growth-related decisions.

e. Apply MLOps best practices for model development, deployment, monitoring, and reproducibility.

f. Support projects across their lifecycle, including problem definition, metrics development, data extraction and manipulation, visualization, creation of analytical/statistical models and AI/ML solutions, and presentation of findings to stakeholders.

g. Contribute to the development and modernization of statistical databases, data platforms, and analytics pipelines, ensuring secure storage, efficient retrieval, and accurate analysis.

h. Apply and promote best practices in data management, MLOps, model governance, and analytics, supporting international comparability and high standards of IP statistical reporting.

i. Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal systems and public-facing web products, enhancing usability and reliability of statistical information, including integration of AI-driven features where relevant.

j. Contribute to the strategic and operational activities of the Division, including cross-sectional initiatives related to data integration, analytics platforms, innovation and digital transformation.

k. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in statistics, mathematics, data science, computer science, economics or related discipline.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of progressively responsible professional experience in the fields of data analytics, data science, machine learning or a related field.

Experience making use of unit record databases to generate actionable intelligence that informs client decision making.

Experience using statistical and econometric software and tools (e.g. STATA, Python, R and comparable analytical environments).

Experience applying data science and machine learning techniques to large-scale statistical databases and data platforms.

Experience in advanced data preparation, validation, analysis, modelling and quality assurance.

Experience (Desirable)

Professional experience in the field of IP.

Experience deploying and maintaining analytical models and data pipelines in production environments, including version control, monitoring and reproducibility practices (MLOps).

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Good knowledge of data science and advanced analytical methods, including the application of machine learning techniques where appropriate, to support statistical analysis, trend analysis and forecasting.

Excellent quantitative analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and produce accurate, well-structured statistical outputs.

Ability to understand and respond to client needs, uncover underlying reasons and trends using the available data, while effectively communicating complex findings in a clear and actionable manner to non-expert audiences to support informed decision making and drive business impact.

Strong organizational, project and change management skills in a cross functional setting, with the ability to plan and manage assigned tasks independently, meet deadlines and ensure high standards of data quality and consistency.

Ability to work effectively on own initiative and as a member of a team.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment, demonstrating sensitivity to and respect for diversity.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Good knowledge of intellectual property.

4. Organizational Competencies

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

5. Information

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the August 2026 rate of 84.3%25

P3

Annual salary

$64,121

Post adjustment

$54,054

Total Salary

$118,175

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

Temporary appointments are renewable, subject to continuing needs, availability of budget and satisfactory performance with a maximum cumulative length of two years.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.