Newark Community Data Hub Postdoctoral Associate

Rutgers University; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 67,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation, holidays, and leave

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits for employees and

Life insurance coverage

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers University-Newark seeks a Newark Community Data Hub Postdoctoral Associate to support data science, analytics, and mapping-focused work for the MBK Newark hub. The position is for one year beginning December 2026, with renewal possibility, a $74,000 stipend, health benefits, and $3,000 in research funds.

The role involves quantitative work under supervision of the Senior Research Analyst, with opportunities for GIS, ML, and community-facing outputs and occasional qualitative tasks as

Qualifications

• Recently conferred doctorate (within 5 years) in a quantitative social science field.
• Strong proficiency in statistical analysis, GIS, and at least one of: machine learning methods, AI/LLM integration, or predictive modeling.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, cleaning, and maintaining data pipelines from publicly available sources across MBK milestone framework and SDOH indicators.
• Building and updating interactive dashboards and data visualizations for public audiences.
• Conducting GIS and spatial analyses at the neighborhood level.
• Applying machine learning, AI integration, and predictive modeling to Hub research questions.
• Leading preparation of research briefs, community data presentations, and public-facing reports.
• Preparing technical briefs to guide data use.
• Supporting community data convenings and translating technical findings for non-specialist audiences.
• Participating in mixed-method research, including focus groups when needed.

Skills

Statistical analysis

GIS

Machine learning

AI integration

Predictive modeling

Education

Doctorate in quantitative social science

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Position Details

Newark Community Data Hub Postdoctoral Associate

Department: Cornwall Center Metro Studies

Salary: $74,000

Contract: Full Time

Posting Number: 26FA0969

Posting Open Date: 10/29/2026

Posting Close Date: 01/05/2027

Campus: Rutgers University-Newark

City: Newark

State: NJ

Location: Rutgers University-Newark

Posting Summary

The Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies seeks a data science, analytics, and mapping-focused Postdoctoral Associate to support the Newark Community Data Hub. The Associate position is awarded for one year beginning December 2026, with the possibility of renewal. The position carries a stipend of $74,000, health benefits, and $3,000 in research funds.

About the Data Hub

The Newark Community Data Hub is a partnership between the Joseph C. Cornwall Center and the Opportunity Youth Network's (OYN) My Brother's Keeper Newark (MBKN). It builds on the MBK Key Life Milestone Framework - a cradle-to-career framework spanning early childhood, education, workforce, health, and community safety - to organize publicly available data around the indicators that matter most to Newark residents, organizations, and policymakers. Layered with social determinants of health and economic mobility indicators, the Hub creates space for collective learning about the city's pressing questions, with the aim of grounding future action in that shared knowledge. Year 1 focuses on converting early analytic work into a fully functioning Hub.

The Role

The Postdoctoral Associate will serve as a core member of the Hub's analytic team, working under the supervision of the Senior Research Analyst who is the technical director for the Data Hub. Primary responsibilities are quantitative and computational, with some involvement in qualitative work such as focus groups, as project needs require.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, cleaning, and maintaining data pipelines from publicly available sources (Census, ACS, administrative records, and similar) organized around the MBK milestone framework and SDOH indicators.


• Building and updating interactive dashboards and data visualizations for public and community audiences.


• Conducting GIS and spatial analyses at the neighborhood level.


• Applying machine learning, AI integration, and predictive modeling methods to Hub research questions.


• Conducting literature reviews to guide data and analytic planning.


• Leading preparation of research briefs, community data presentations, and public-facing reports.


• Prepare technical briefs to guide data use.


• Supporting community data convenings - translating technical findings for non-specialist audiences.


• Participating in mixed method research, including focus groups or community listening sessions, as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Recently conferred doctorate (within 5 years) in a quantitative social science field - including but not limited to urban planning, public policy, sociology, geography, economics, or data science. Strong proficiency in statistical analysis, GIS, and at least one of: machine learning methods, AI/LLM integration, or predictive modeling. Experience working with large, multi-source datasets. Commitment to equity and community-centered research.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong proficiency in statistical analysis, GIS, and at least one of: machine learning methods, AI/LLM integration, or predictive modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

Background or coursework in education research, workforce development, or public health. Experience with place-based or community-embedded research. Familiarity with R, Python, or similar tools for data analysis and visualization. Comfort facilitating community-facing research activities.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage


• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs


• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options


• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)


• Life insurance coverage


• Employee discount programs

Quick Link to Posting

https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/283365

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Pre-Employment Screenings

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