"Research Area Specialist Sr"

All applicants must submit a cover letter and resume as a single document to be considered for this position. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and related experience.

This part-time position within the Survey Research Center (SRC) Health and Retirement Study Program (HRS) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR) serves as a senior technical data analyst with a high degree of independent decision-making in the creation and documentation of public-use and restricted data files.

The SRC-HRS is a multi-disciplinary research program funded by the National Institute on Aging and other agencies, and includes data collection, dissemination, and analysis activities. This position supports data development and dissemination activities through collaboration with senior faculty and staff by:

• Serving as an expert in data processing, management and documentation, including programming support systems to deliver dynamic website content
• Investigating, modifying and applying new procedures, techniques or applications of technology, integrating new findings in processes to more effectively and efficiently deliver data products
• Overseeing and evaluating data from external sources (e.g. National Death Index, LexisNexis residential data)
• Conducting research in area of expertise, with results used in broader research projects
• Monitoring integrity of data quality and use of protocols and procedures; conducting data analysis
• Participating in writing research proposals, reports for funding agencies and articles for publication
• Collaborating with other researchers on long-range plans for project/program, acting as expert in specialized area

The incumbent must be self-motivated and highly dependable, with a positive attitude and ability to problem solve and seek assistance when needed. They will have the ability to learn new skills, including new software and other technical tools; exemplary interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to manage time and multiple priorities in a busy environment; ability to work effectively independently and as a team member. Discretion with handling confidential data is required.

Under minimal direction, incumbent will develop, evaluate, and implement various courses of action in support of broad and abstract research goals; provide data management and analysis support for research projects; develop data documentation; contribute to and initiate written materials for presentation and publication; train junior staff and temporary employees, prepare public and restricted access data files for dissemination, and collaborate with Principal Investigators, postdoctoral and graduate students, and members of the HRS research staff in analysis activities.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

25% Programming

• Maintain/update HRS Question Concordance
• Ad hoc reporting

25% Data Management

• Data management programming for various purposes including creation and management of restricted data files (e.g. respondent and child geography, cause of death)
• Maintain/update HRS/SSA respondent permission tracking system

25% Special Projects

• Advise HRS staff on special projects: National Death Index data linkage, Paper to digital archiving, Geographic information processing, Data structure design
• Advise, guide, and train HRS staff on maintenance and updating of HRS restricted data products

25% Committee/Meeting

• Respond to HRS help desk questions regarding restricted data products
• Participate in Restricted Data Access Case Review Group review of Enclave and NIH LINKAGE restricted data access applications

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related research field (e.g., public health, psychology, social work, epidemiology, library science), or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 6 years in social research
• Mixed methods and survey research experience
• Data Management and documentation experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of writing principles, excellent analytical and research skills, strong interpersonal and communication skills, proficiency in qualitative research methods, and familiarity with commercial software for coding and with reference management systems
• Writing experience in the areas of social science research
• Demonstrated success in cultivating relationships with research faculty and/or key stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and adapt to the needs of the program
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others
• Fluent in research and project management-related software including Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), SAS (primarily data management), Graphical Information System (GIS) technology
• Working knowledge of data security procedures including encryption and other strategies for protecting personally identifiable information.
• SQL in Access, SQL Server, and MySQL environments
• Perl, and other scripting languages such as R and Python
• Compiled languages such as VB.net
• Website design (PHP, MySQL)
• Working knowledge of Stata and SPSS

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of research methodology, survey research experience, and mixed-methods skills
• Demonstrate excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Ability to set priorities, handle multiple assignments and deadlines and display excellent judgment while operating in a flexible and professional manner
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical, leadership, and decision-making skills
• Experience with data visualization and synthesis; demonstrated high degree of initiative and resourcefulness
• Working knowledge of applicable University policies and procedures