Research Analyst, Advancing Universal Representation

Vera Institute of Justice; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Education assistance

Employer-sponsored retirement plan

Flexible time off

Job summary

Vera Institute of Justice in Brooklyn, NY is seeking a Research Analyst for the Advancing Universal Representation (UREP) Initiative. The role involves collecting and analyzing data, supporting rapid response research, and preparing reports to advance policy for due process in immigration proceedings.

You will collaborate with senior researchers, contribute to literature reviews, and assist in presenting findings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, computer science, social science, or related field + up to 3 years of relevant experience.
• In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated interest in research and/or some experience using research methods in academic or applied settings.
• Experience with the immigration legal system and/or immigration policy through lived or work experience.
• Lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal-legal and/or immigration system.
• Commitment to racial justice.

Responsibilities

• Data collection, management, and analysis of primarily quantitative data.
• Support rapid response research requests and produce programmatic statistics.
• Prepare reports, factsheets, and data visualizations for publications.
• Collaborate with the team and participate in cross-cutting Initiative events.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Data visualization

Python

R

SQL

Communication

Public writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in statistics

Tools

Python

R

Stata

SQL

Job description

Research Analyst, Advancing Universal Representation

Brooklyn, New York

About the role:

The Research Analyst for the Advancing Universal Representation (UREP) Initiative works in a supporting research role to build and share evidence in support of the Initiative’s goal toadvance policies and programs that support due process in the immigration system by: 1) expanding access to legal representation for immigrants facing deportation—with the ultimate goal to establish a federal right to government-funded counsel for all immigrants facing deportation who cannot afford an attorney—and 2) combatting the harms of immigration detention. The Research Analyst collects, manages, and analyzes primarily quantitative and occasionally qualitative data;assists in the writing of reports and other research materials to support the Initiative’s strategic advocacy and policy priorities; fields rapid response research requests; conducts literature reviews; supports the generation and design of new research; reviews documents; and presents findings from research projects.

In this role, the Research AnalystreportsdirectlytothePrincipal Research Associate,with support and mentorshipfrom the Research Associate,thePrincipalData Scientist, andtheAssociate Director of Research for the UREP Initiative and will also develop and strengthen their own skills and work independently. TheResearchAnalyst contributesto and supportsdiscrete tasks but also has sometask ownership and task management. TheResearchAnalystprimarilyworkson qualitative research projects,whichrequiresindependent coding and analysis,andwill also occasionallyperform tasks beyond research-specific tasks, including someadvocacy andadministrative work.

The Research Analyst collaborates with team members to advance Initiative goals by actively engaging in team meetings and program activities. The Research Analyst is also expected to support efforts to ensure Vera’sRace,Equity,andInclusion priorities are a core aspect of Vera’s mission, both internally in how team members work together, and in research, including in methodological approaches, publications, hiring and staffing, and external and internal research communications.

1. Data collection, management, and analysis

• Clean and manage data (primarily quantitative).
• Develop andmaintaincode,codebooks, instruments, or other research materials.
• Supportdata collection under the supervision ofsenior research staff.
• Supportquantitative and qualitativeanalysis of data and/or writeup ofmethods and results.

2. Rapid Response

• Field rapid response data requests fromteam members and external partners, including quickly producing programmatic and immigration court statistics, identifying andsharing existing research to provide evidence in support of advocacy materials, andmore.

3. Write up / presentation of research

• Prepare and formatreports, factsheets,and other products.
• Conduct background research and compile materials, including literature reviews.
• Prepare data, statistics, background research, ordatavisualizationsforreports and other products.

4. Team Support and Internal Collaboration

• Carry out special projects in support ofthe Initiative’sresearch agendaor another programunder the supervision of senior research staff.
• Support otherlines of work within theInitiative (i.e., advocacy, programs, and blueprint design) on a variety of assignments, as needed.
• Contribute to research project development and design.
• Participate in cross-cuttingInitiative events and lobbying activities, as needed.

5. Administrative Tasks

• Manage and respond to emails fromexternal partnerswhowork with Vera.
• Scheduleandfacilitaemeetings.
• Data entrytasks,including creating,updating, andmaintainingspreadsheets anddatabases.

What qualifications are we looking for?

Required :

• Bachelor’s degreeinstatistics, computer science, or social science, or related field+ up to 3 years of relevant experience.In lieu of aBachelor’sdegree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.

Preferred :

• A demonstrated interest in research, and/or some experience using research methods in academic or applied settings.
• Experiencewith the immigration legal system and/or immigration policy through lived or work experience.
• Lived experience as a person directlyimpactedby the criminal-legal and/or immigrations system
• A demonstrated commitment to racial justice
• Experience in quantitative research (e.g.completing a research project using quantitative methods).
• Coding experience, preferably fordata analysis,inPython (highly preferred)R, Stata, or SQL.
• Ability to synthesize complex literature and share findings from existing research.
• Skilled in writing findings from research in a manner that is easily understood by thegeneral public.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Developing ability with data visualization and presentation and a desire to learn more.

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $64,000 - $67,000. In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325.Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here .

Vera is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, includingwith regard toeducational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.