Edtech.com's Summary

University of Tennessee, Knoxville is hiring a Research Data Analyst - Tennessee Reading Research Center - UTK to lead data management, analysis, and reporting for the center’s state and federally funded research on literacy initiatives, instruction, and assessment. The analyst prepares and validates complex educational datasets, runs advanced statistical analyses of multilevel data, and turns the results into reports and visualizations for the center’s director, research team, and outside partners.

Highlights

Lead projects in research data quality, preparation, collection, and reporting, consulting with research teams, external partners, and stakeholders to design data collection and reporting tools, queries, and processes.
Write documented code to import, merge, clean, standardize, link, de-identify, and archive research data from multiple sources, and run quality-control checks that catch and resolve errors, inconsistencies, and missing data.
Work with the Data Engineer, research partners, and internal team to set data-validity checks, data management practices, and safeguards for personally identifiable information.
Perform advanced statistical analyses of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and correlation designs using methods such as propensity score weighting, growth curve modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, regression discontinuity, structural equation modeling, and meta-analysis, selecting approaches together with the TRRC Director and lead statistician.
Run every analysis in reproducible, annotated, version-controlled scripts, and keep codebooks, data definitions, and data-quality test catalogs that support the center’s open-science framework.
Build reports, tables, graphs, and dashboards, present findings to internal and external stakeholders, and mentor student workers on data preparation and reproducible practices.
Master’s degree in statistics, educational measurement, biostatistics, or a related field, plus at least two years of progressively responsible experience conducting complex statistical analysis of multilevel data.
Skills in R and SQL, with applicable experience in languages such as Python, Java, and C++; a certificate in applied statistical analysis and experience with statewide longitudinal data systems are preferred.
On-site role in Knoxville with an anticipated hiring range of $70,000 to $75,000.

Research Data Analyst - Tennessee Reading Research Center - UTK Full Description

The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) conducts state and federally funded research on literacy initiatives, instruction, and assessment. The Research Data Analyst leads specialized data management, analysis, and reporting projects supporting TRRC research and related policy and program initiatives. The position designs data collection and reporting tools; consults with internal and external stakeholders to define data needs; and prepares, validates, integrates, secures, and archives complex educational datasets from multiple sources. The Research Data Analyst independently addresses complex data issues, selects appropriate analytic methods consistent with research standards, and performs advanced statistical analyses of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and correlation designs. Methods may include propensity score weighting, growth curve modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, regression discontinuity, structural equation modeling, and meta-analysis. The position develops reproducible code, data-quality procedures, reports, queries, tables, and visualizations; presents findings to stakeholders; and produces data products that inform research, data-collection practices, policy decisions, and program initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Quality, Preparation, Tool Development, and Process Improvement:

Lead projects within an area of specialty related to research data quality, preparation, collection, and reporting.
Consult with internal research teams, external partners, and other stakeholders to understand data needs; design and develop data collection and reporting tools, applications, queries, and processes that deliver requested information and support research initiatives.
Prepare complex research datasets by writing efficient, robust, and clearly documented code to import, merge, clean, standardize, link, de-identify, and archive data from multiple sources.
Validate dataset integrity and conduct quality-control checks to identify, prevent, investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve errors, inconsistencies, missing data, and other data-preparation issues.
Work independently on complex issues requiring in-depth analysis of variable factors and use innovative solutions to resolve problems, modifying approaches when competing policies, data requirements, technical constraints, or stakeholder needs are present.
Collaborate with the Data Engineer, external research partners, and internal research team to establish data-validity checks, quality-control procedures, data management practices, and appropriate safeguards for personally identifiable information.

Statistical Analysis and Research Methods:

Exercise latitude in determining analytic objectives, selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria, and developing solutions consistent with broadly defined research policies, procedures, practices, and professional standards.
Participate with the TRRC Director and lead Statistician in selecting appropriate research methods and analytic approaches based on research questions, study design, available data, and relevant contextual factors.
Independently investigate and resolve complex issues arising during data analysis, including issues involving data structure, model specification, assumptions, missing data, and interpretation of findings.
Perform complex data analyses using advanced statistical modeling methods, including propensity score weighting, growth curve modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, regression discontinuity, structural equation modeling, meta-analysis, and other methods appropriate to randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and correlation research designs.
Execute all analyses in an explicit, reproducible manner using annotated, documented, and version-controlled scripts.

Reporting, Visualization, and Stakeholder Consultation:

Independently develop and deliver reports, tables, graphs, dashboards, and other data visualizations for the TRRC Director, internal research team, and external partners.
Present findings, analytic results, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders in clear, accessible formats.
Create reports and data products that inform or influence research priorities, programmatic initiatives, data-collection practices, and policy decisions.
Consult with stakeholders to clarify reporting needs, develop ad hoc queries, and deliver accurate and timely data reports that address research questions and decision-making needs.

Documentation, Open Science, and Project Support:

Support the TRRC’s data documentation and open-science framework by maintaining accurate, timely, and complete records of data collection, data preparation, quality-control, transformation, analysis, and reporting processes.
Create and maintain documentation such as codebooks, data definitions, data-quality test catalogs, query catalogs, procedural guides, and records of data sources and routine analytic processes.
Establish and maintain documentation standards that promote transparency, reproducibility, continuity, and appropriate data governance across projects.
Mentor student workers supporting TRRC projects and provide guidance on data preparation, documentation, quality-control, reproducible analytic practices, and effective communication of findings.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree in statistics, educational measurement, biostatistics, or related field

Experience:

Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible experience in conducting complex statistical analysis with multilevel data.
Applicable experience with computer languages: R, Java, Python, C, C++, Rust Ruby, SQL, Haskell

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Skills in statistical analysis of multilevel data used in social science, education, or health research.
Skills in using R statistical software.
Skills in SQL programming and in importing, exporting, and integrating files and data from multiple software programs and sources.
Ability to work with large, complex, multivariate datasets; verify and check data thoroughly for accuracy and completeness; and identify, troubleshoot, and resolve data-quality issues.
Ability to learn new statistical methods, software, and programming approaches and to continually acquire new competencies.
Knowledge of standards and best practices for documenting code, data transformations, analytic decisions, and codebooks.
Skill in creating clear, accurate tables, graphs, visualizations, and other representations of data.
Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.
Excellent written, numerical, and graphical communication skills.
Ability to work quickly and accurately with strong attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize tasks, solve problems, meet deadlines, and follow through on assignments with minimal direction, often under pressure.
Ability to communicate technical concepts, data issues, analytic methods, and results effectively to end users, research partners, management, and other stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Certificate in applied statistical analysis

Experience:

Experience working with statewide longitudinal data systems
Advanced knowledge of R packages
Demonstrated work ethic for successful management of multiple short-term and long-term projects, independent completion of projects with accuracy, thoroughness and creativity, and timely meeting of deadlines under pressure.
Experience testing different applications for enhancing data collection and use.
Advanced verbal communication and writing abilities for disseminating technical results

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C++, and Java Script
Knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs
Knowledge of Bayesian statistics
Knowledge of statistical analyses for multilevel data
Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research, analysis, and statistical methods
Knowledge of preK-12 education data

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR12

Anticipated hiring range: $70,000-$75,000

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

Resume
Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division

The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) is conducting state-level evaluations of literacy initiatives as well as federally funded research to identify effective literacy instructional practices and improve the determination of students’ literacy outcomes. The projects are led by Professor and Director Dr. Deborah K Reed. The TRRC works with a dynamic team of professional and student staff as well as external collaborators from other universities, state education agencies, and school districts.

EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.

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Research Data Analyst - Tennessee Reading Research Center - UTK

Edtech.com's Summary

Research Data Analyst - Tennessee Reading Research Center - UTK Full Description

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