Research Data Analysts

Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Travel, evenings, and weekends may occasionally be required.

Lab Overview
The Prison Education Action Research Lab (PEARL) at the College of Education at the University of Utah is the nation’s first center dedicated to advancing research, data, and leadership in postsecondary education in prison. PEARL leverages evidence-based research to change systems and reduce barriers to postsecondary education for people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. PEARL’s anchor project, the Prison Education Research Initiative (PERI), is a first-of-its-kind multi-institutional longitudinal study spanning 22+ partner colleges and universities nationwide.

Mission
PEARL does research that advances educational justice for people and communities impacted by incarceration.

Position Summary
The Research Data Analyst II supports the secure acquisition, organization, cleaning, documentation, preparation, and analysis of complex multi-site administrative, survey, and research data for PEARL’s national research portfolio. Working in close support of the project’s lead Research Data Analyst (Research Data Analyst III) and the Senior Research Associate, Quantitative, this position contributes to PEARL’s national dataset, gains hands-on experience with the Prison Education Research Initiative (PERI), and supports the lab’s qualitative research.

This position is ideal for a quantitative data professional who thrives in a collaborative academic research environment, enjoys transforming raw data into accurate, well-documented, analysis-ready files, and is eager to grow their skills in data management, reproducible analysis, and mixed-methods research.

Working closely with research staff and Principal Investigators, the Research Data Analyst II will help maintain secure, well-documented data workflows spanning administrative corrections, education, employment, and survey data from multiple institutions, agencies, and time periods, while ensuring compliance with data security, IRB, and data-use agreement requirements.

The Research Data Analyst II will work under the supervision of project PIs Dr. Erin L. Castro and Dr. Jason Taylor at the University of Utah. We strongly encourage applications from individuals directly impacted by incarceration and punishment systems.

Effort Allocation
Effort is approximate and may shift with project needs:

National dataset (approximately 45%): lead and support the acquisition, cleaning, validation, documentation, and preparation of PEARL’s national administrative and survey data.

PERI (approximately 45%): contribute to the Prison Education Research Initiative, working alongside and learning from the senior Research Data Analyst and the quantitative research team.

Qualitative research (approximately 10%): support qualitative research activities, including assisting with interviews and contributing to qualitative data analysis.

Why This Role Matters
This position will help build one of the most important national datasets on prison higher education and student outcomes. The successful candidate will grow as a research data professional while contributing to credible evidence that informs policy, expands opportunity, and improves lives.

Compensation and Terms

This is a grant-funded position within PEARL. The position is full-time and benefitted. Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Travel, evenings, and weekends may occasionally be required. The Research Data Analyst II may work remotely or on-site at the University of Utah with some travel required.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Department Specific Responsibilities:

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Research Data Analyst II: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Required Application Materials:
Cover Letter that describes interest in and qualifications for the position. Candidates should include their experience developing and managing databases, data infrastructure, and/or producing quantitative analyses

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.


This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.


The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.


Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.


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