"Research Analyst, The Kinder Institute for Urban Research"

Position Summary

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is currently hiring for a Research Analyst to join its Houston Population Research Center (HPRC). The HPRC houses the Kinder Institute's survey work, which includes the Greater Houston Community Panel, and the Kinder Houston Area Survey - the longest running survey of any major metropolitan area in the nation. Recent HPRC research includes the 2025 Kinder Houston Area Survey, an Achievement Study examining outcomes across Houston communities, and a Disaster Recovery Study focused on post-storm impacts and recovery. The research analyst will work with a team of other researchers to develop and administer quarterly surveys, analyze results, produce research briefs, reports, and presentations for local leaders, community organizations, and members of the community, as well as help elevate work into academic peer-review publications and professional conferences. Individuals with experience and expertise conducting survey research are encouraged to apply.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently working to build out five research centers focused on critical aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five centers will research housing, education, community and public health, economic mobility and inequality, and population dynamics. Each center will investigate its particular topic area and will work across centers. To achieve this, each center is building interdisciplinary teams specializing in solutions-oriented research while using a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and conduct research that values diversity in expertise and prioritizes the community in identifying and addressing some of the most pressing questions and challenges facing Houston and surrounding areas to inform decision-making and bring about systemic change.

Ideal candidates work well in a team environment, actively collaborate, and can motivate others. S/he has superior scientific and numerical skills, as well as meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Workplace Requirements

• Occasional travel
• Evening and/or weekend work as needed

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work within Harris County and surrounding counties to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $66,000 to $69,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.*

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) in sociology, economics, another social science, public health, or a related field, and completion of a university-level course, thesis, or dissertation
• 2+ years of experience in the following:
  • Data maintenance and analysis
  • Maintaining quality control standards
  • Quantitative methodology
  • Stata, SAS, or R

Skills:

• Knowledge of statistical software packages such as Stata, SAS, R, or HLM
• Excellent analytical and research skills
• Ability to build reports
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading
• Excellent presentation skills

Preferences

• Master's degree (or foreign equivalent) in sociology, economics, another social science, public health, or a related field, and one year of experience in the following:
• Data maintenance and analysis
• Maintaining quality control standards
• Quantitative methodology
• Stata, SAS, or R

Essential Functions

• Work collaboratively with the research team on designing, testing, programming, reviewing, translating, administering, and analyzing survey research results
• Ability to lead the programming of online surveys using Qualtrics, including the handling of a longitudinal panel design
• Send surveys via email and text messages
• Work with others to implement the translation of surveys into multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
• Support the distribution of incentives to survey respondents
• Develop, edit, and expand communication materials for survey respondents and recruitment
• Contribute to the development of research questions and study designs to answer them
• Work with the survey research team to gather input from community organizations and leaders on topics to include in survey collection
• Conduct research using sampling techniques and complex survey weights
• Participate in the dissemination and communication of research findings
• Identify, locate, and obtain extant data and information necessary for conducting research projects
• Use quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies from the social sciences
• Maintain and implement quality control standards for survey research projects
• Facilitate the planning, scheduling, execution, and completion of survey research projects
• Run statistical analyses using standard statistical methods and techniques
• Code and analyze qualitative data to derive meaning from in-depth interviews or focus groups
• Utilize appropriate statistical software programs to conduct research
• Verify the accuracy and replicability of data analysis using scientific and numerical skills
• Interpret and communicate research findings for various audiences and publications, including research briefs, journals and manuscripts, professional conferences, and data visualization graphics
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application.