IPUMS International Associate Data Analyst

Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation (IPUMS International) seeks an Associate Data Analyst (Research Pro 1- Data Management) to join a collaborative team of research and IT professionals in Minneapolis, MN.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, eager to learn data processing skills, and capable of working on data and metadata harmonization across datasets. Hybrid work is available with on-site presence required during onboarding.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in an applied data science/analysis or quantitative social science field or equivalent experience (4 years).
• Data manipulation skills including documenting and organizing data and code.
• Proficiency with statistical software (Stata, R).
• Experience working with census or survey data.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Curiosity about new areas and eagerness to learn new skills/topics.
• Experience communicating updates on time-sensitive tasks with teams/supervisors.
• Ability to work independently and scope problems before implementing solutions.
• Experience managing multiple streams of work with strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• 70% Manage and create data and metadata via the IPUMS data processing pipeline, harmonize codes, verify responses, ensure data quality, test website functionality, and document processes.
• 15% Write user-facing documentation and training materials; update docs to reflect latest data versions and user needs.
• 15% Other duties including user support, conference travel, grant reporting, or data analyses to illustrate IPUMS data applications.

Skills

Data manipulation

Statistical software

Census/survey data

Independent work

Communication skills

Learning mindset

Education

BS/BA in applied data science/analysis or quantitative social science

Tools

Stata

R

Python

Unix

Job description

IPUMS makes the world's largest collection of population and health survey data freely accessible online. Thousands of researchers use these data worldwide, and you can contribute to the development and enhancement of this public good. We seek an Associate Data Analyst (Research Pro 1- Data Management) to join our team of research and information technology professionals

We are looking for a technically minded person who enjoys working with data and can learn new skills and knowledge quickly. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and motivated by task completion, knows when to ask questions, communicates progress clearly, and is eager to develop technical skills in data processing and IPUMS data.

The Associate Data Analyst opening is on the IPUMS International team which hosts a rich collection of international census and survey data, with over one billion person records from several hundred microdata samples collected in more than 100 countries (international.ipums.org). The associate data analyst is expected to develop an understanding of basic data infrastructure and metadata components, and consider how these intersect with unique aspects of the data collection. Crucially, the breadth of the IPUMS International data collection frequently poses opportunities for creative problem solving to tackle data nuances across time and space. The associate data analyst will also participate in other tasks, including user support, outreach, and interaction with other IPUMS projects.

The environment supports individual growth while being highly collaborative; we expect analysts to take ownership of tasks assigned to them and enlist the team to refine approaches and output, as well as provide constructive feedback to colleagues on their work. You will work closely with members of the immediate research team as well as other research staff (e.g., technical researchers, student research assistants, full-time research staff on other teams) and software developers. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of data processing and dissemination methods, and there is considerable opportunity for initiative and creativity by all members of the research staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The signature activity of IPUMS is the harmonization of discrete datasets into a single consistently coded and documented series that enables comparative analyses over time. Harmonization work at a associate data analyst 1 level involves pivoting between execution or adaptation of well-defined tasks to move data through our processing pipeline and troubleshooting complex data or conceptual problems.

• 70%- Manage and create data and metadata via the IPUMS data processing pipeline. This includes processing new data and metadata into IPUMS systems, harmonizing codes across datasets, resolving comparability issues, writing variable documentation, empirically verifying which respondents answered specific questions, ensuring data quality, testing website functionality, and writing internal process documentation.
• 15% Write user-facing documentation and training materials. Expected documentation activities include reviewing and flagging areas for improvement in existing data processing instructions, communicating progress on assigned tasks for supervisors and colleagues to review, updating user-facing documentation to reflect the latest version of data, modifying user-facing documentation based on questions from data users, and helping generate training and dissemination materials.
• 15% Other duties as assigned. This may include participating in User Support activities (reviewing and responding to targeted questions from data users, summarizing common questions and proposing improvements to documentation or tools, participating in Virtual Office Hours), conference travel and participation, providing information for grant reporting purposes, or analyzing data to illustrate substantive applications of IPUMS data.

Work Location: This position is eligible for hybrid* (at minimum, on-site presence is required 2 days per week during the six-month onboarding period, and at least one day each week thereafter), or fully on-site work arrangements. ISRDI is located at 50 Willey Hall in Minneapolis, MN.

Please note: This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Qualifications

Required:

• BS/BA in an applied data science/analysis or quantitative social science field like geography, sociology, economics, epidemiology, biostatistics, or other related discipline or a combination of education and work experience to equal 4 years
• Data manipulation skills (including documenting and organizing data and code)
• Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., Stata, R)
• Experience working with census or survey data
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Approaches new or unfamiliar areas with curiosity and enjoys learning new skills and/or about new topics
• Experience communicating updates on time-sensitive tasks with teams/supervisors
• Ability to work independently, including scoping problems and outlining solutions for review/discussion before implementation
• Experience working on projects or in environments that require excellent organization skills and the ability to manage multiple streams of work

Preferred*:

• Knowledge of relevant subject matter (e.g., demography, health, economics, aging, maternal and child health)
• Ability to bring a researcher/end-data user perspective to the processing and documentation of large population-representative datasets
• Experience combining multiple data sources
• Experience working with microdata
• Experience working with a programming language such as Python or Julia and/or Unix
• Ability to read language(s) in addition to English and/or cultural knowledge of other world regions
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
  

*Are you excited about this job and meet the required qualifications, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply because you just may be the right candidate for this role.