Job no: 506904
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: UMDI - Research & Evaluation
Union: Non-Unit Exempt
Categories: Administrative/Office Support, Research

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) Applied Research and Program Evaluation (ARPE) business unit conducts social science research projects in direct response to specific client needs. ARPE studies typically focus on questions related to public health, human/social services, and education across the age spectrum (from early childhood through post-secondary and adult education).

ARPE Research Managers work with the unit Director and Senior Research Managers to conceive of and create new projects and develop project scopes, budgets, and project work plans. Research Managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of assigned projects, including conceptualizing and developing sound research plans and timelines, implementing plans within stated timelines, conducting appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative analyses of data, implementing quality control processes, and synthesizing data to surface findings, and developing high quality project deliverables with clearly stated conclusions and recommendations. Research Managers are expected to possess a solid foundation in research methods, strong verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, and the ability to independently manage projects or components of complex projects. Research Managers must be comfortable with mixed-methods research approaches, including both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Depending on the size and scope of projects, Research Managers may be responsible for supervising and mentoring staff on their project team, and are expected to foster a collaborative team approach to project implementation. Although not solely responsible for developing new business, Research Managers are expected to identify funding opportunities and participate in development activities.

Essential Functions

Other Functions

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Sociology, Public Health, Public Policy, Psychology or related disciplines, and five years of professional research experience.

OR

Master’s degree in Education, Sociology, Public Health, Public Policy, Psychology or related disciplines, and three years of professional research experience;

• Solid foundation in research methods;
• Advanced proficiency with professional office software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
• Substantive experience using quantitative (SPSS, Stata, R, or SAS) or qualitative data analysis software (NVivo or ATLAS.ti);
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Conceptualize and develop strong research plans and project timelines
• Specify and conduct appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative analyses of data.
• Synthesize data to identify deeper meaning and essential findings.
• Develop high quality deliverables with clearly stated conclusions and recommendations.
• Present research findings to clients and key stakeholders.
• Manage projects or components of complex projects.
• Work independently and engage in collaborative research in a team setting.
• Effectively organize/prioritize work tasks and manage time to maximize productivity.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Proficiency with advanced quantitative analysis methods such as multi-level modeling, time series analysis, item response theory analysis, propensity score matching/weighting;
• Proficiency with research tools such as Qualtrics, Tableau, ArcGIS, or custom database applications;
• Spanish language proficiency including the ability to effectively conduct business and facilitate data collection activities in Spanish.
• In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have interest and/or prior focus conducting applied research related to one or more of the following areas:
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Secondary and/or post-secondary academics
  • Early childhood education and care

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Multiple hours in stationary position, using office equipment and computers, attending meetings, working closely and collaboratively with others.
• Environment is a busy, open office area with multiple interruptions and requests for assistance.
• The physical/mental demands and work environment factors described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Additional Details

This position can be located in Hadley, MA or Shrewsbury, MA.

Work Schedule

40 hours per week.

Salary Information

Level 28

Exempt Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references. The position will remain open until filled.

Please also provide 1-3 work products that demonstrate your skills/abilities in relation to the following:
• Synthesize data to surface findings.
• Develop clear visual data summaries such as tables, graphs, and charts.
• Develop clear and concise narrative summaries of data.
• Prepare and present high quality project deliverables, including written analytical reports with clearly stated conclusions and recommendations.
• Disseminate findings to a wider audience via publications, presentations, etc.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jan 4 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: