They will be deeply trained in quantitive methods and computing. They will often have a PhD though not all. Their main driver will be seeking signals through understanding particular phenomenon. They will be defined by a particular question they are pursuing. Their nature will be to own a question until they find the answer to it. They will conduct machine learning techniques, statistical analysis, simulations, visualizations or anything else that allows them to understand the information / problem and find signals.

It seems that if one is working from the point of view of getting beauty in one’s equations, and if one has really a sound insight, one is on a sure line of progress.

PAUL DIRAC

Preferred schools: MIT (Core 6)

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This role knows all the data sources, tools, and analytics products intimately and ensures the continued quality and usage where appropriate. They are directly involved with the scientists and engineers when pursuing a question because their detailed bottom up knowledge of the information is key to understanding what type of analysis is actually able to be performed.

I see a curator as a catalyst, generator and motivator – a sparring partner, accompanying the artist while they build a show, and a bridge builder, creating a bridge to the public.

Hans-Ulrich Obrist

Preferred schools: MIT (Core 6), Columbia, Harvard, Yale & BYU.