Posting Details

Position Information

Job TitleResearch AnalystDepartmentKinder Institute for Urban ResearchFull Time/Part TimeFull-TimeRequisition NumberS20185Open Date10/09/2019Close Date11/06/2019Salary Information

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Qualifications

Work Schedule

Standard work schedule, Monday through Friday. Very occasional evening or weekend work due to project deadlines.

Benefits EligibleYesEligible for OvertimeNoPosition Summary

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is a multi-disciplinary “think-and-do tank” housed on the Rice University campus in central Houston, focusing on urban issues in Houston, the American Sun Belt, and around the world. The Kinder Institute seeks a candidate to fill a role as research analyst on the Houston Community Data Connections team.

The Houston Community Data Connections (HCDC) is a multi-pronged program at the Kinder Institute that seeks to facilitate the practical use of neighborhood-level data by city and community leaders for decision making and capacity building in Houston’s disadvantaged communities. HCDC provides a web-based dashboard (datahouston.org) that hosts neighborhood-level indicators across 143 neighborhood areas in Harris County, Texas. Additionally, the program provides a cluster of data and research services as well as data-related training.

As a member of the HCDC team, research analyst performs a variety of technical duties involved in the processing and analyzing datasets in conjunction with community-based research projects. The research analyst is primarily responsible for performing statistical analysis and providing data/research services. In addition, the research analyst assists in HCDC’s training efforts by creating training material and delivering training sessions or webinars to facilitate the use of neighborhood-level data.

We are seeking a professional who is equipped with wide-ranging skills related to data analytics and visualization. S/he is familiar with social science research and has a good understanding of various social issues (e.g. demographics, housing, health, education, transportation, socioeconomics, etc.). Additionally, s/he should be able to translate data into accessible and understandable information for a broad base of community members. S/he has strong problem-solving, communication and presentation skills.

This position reports to the Director of Research Management.

This is a 36 month grant funded position with the possibility of being extended for up to an additional six months.

Education RequiredBachelor's DegreeMajor/Discipline

Social sciences, statistics or any quantitative field.

Substitution for Education Requirement

Experience may not be substituted for the education requirement.

Education Preferred

Master’s degree.

Experience Required3 yearsType of Experience

Related experience in any combination of the following areas:
- Data analysis and data management
- Indicator data collection and familiarity with indicator development methodology
- Quantitative research in social sciences disciplines
- Drafting research reports and executive summaries

Substitution for Experience Requirement

Education may not be substituted for the experience requirement.

Experience Preferred

Related experience in:
- Working with data in various formats
- Use of API portals
- Use of SQL to store, query, and manipulate data
- Working with social service providers, government agencies, philanthropic foundations, and/or nonprofits

License/Certification RequiredLicense/Certification PreferredSkills Required

- Knowledge of statistical software such as Stata or R
- Excellent analytical and research skills
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Excellent presentation skills

Skills Preferred

- Knowledge of data documentation
- Knowledge of spatial analysis
- Knowledge of geographic information system (GIS) software
- Knowledge of programming in Python
- Good interpersonal skills
- Detail-oriented
- Excellent time management skills

Internal / External Contacts

- Internal: Frequent contact with research staff and colleagues at the Kinder Institute and other campus units.
- External: Frequent contact with nonprofits, government agencies, clients, and data and research partners.

Physical Demands

Requires working at a computer for extended periods of time (up to eight hours per day).

Working Conditions

- Monday through Friday, standard 40 hour work week with some flexibility
- General office work environment
- May require extended hours to meet deadlines occasionally
- Requires travel to meet with clients and partner organizations in the Houston metropolitan area

Security SensitiveYes Special Instructions to Applicants

Please answer the following two questions and submit under ‘other document’ (up to two pages).

1. The primary audiences of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research are nonprofit and community leaders as well as policymakers. Tell us about a research project you completed that had some practical relevance for stakeholders and their work. What was/is the project? How did you communicate the research results to ensure clear understanding by stakeholders? Did the results from that project lead to any tangible changes or outcomes from key stakeholders?

2. In this position, there are times when you will need to balance the complexity of the methodological choices you make with the need for your audience to have a clear understanding of your work. Please tell us about a time when you’ve had to strike this balance in your previous work and how you handled it.

No phone calls, please.

Quick Link for Postinghttp://jobs.rice.edu/postings/21555 Job Duties

Job Duty NameEssential FunctionsDescription of Job Duty

- Participates in the design, planning and implementation of research projects and data analysis
- Identifies, locates and obtains data/information from various sources
- Utilizes statistical software to process and quantify data
- Designs data structure
- Builds automated reporting solutions
- Manipulates and cleans-up data
- Completes data analysis
- Visualizes data
- Reports research findings
- Ensures information presented is valid and accurate
- Develops presentations and reports
- Performs all other duties as assigned

Job Duties

Job Duty NameAdditional Job FunctionsDescription of Job Duty

- Acquires data
- Writes code to perform for data summaries and reports
- Assists team members in the creation of data tools
- Assists team member with data training workshop
- Attends meeting with stakeholders and clients

Applicant DocumentsRequired Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Other Document

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a bachelor’s degree or higher in social sciences, statistics, or any quantitative field?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you have three years of related experience in any combination of the following areas: data analysis and data management; indicator data collection and familiarity with indicator development methodology; quantitative research in social sciences disciplines; or drafting research reports and executive summaries?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Do you have experience using Stata or R?
   • Yes
   • No