Research Associate

UCLA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA AV notablely advances data-informed decisions by turning complex data into accessible visuals and reports. The Research Associate will support multifaceted evaluation projects, handling data collection, management, analysis, and the development of reporting products for diverse stakeholders.

Ideal candidates bring strong qualitative and quantitative skills, experience across research lifecycles, and a passion for utilizing-focused evaluation.

Qualifications

• Ability to assess priorities and coordinate workflows across projects to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as member of a research team across cultures.
• Data collection experience including survey design and programing, coordinating data collection plans, and facilitating focus groups and interviews.
• Working knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to learn new software and web-based apps with minimal training.
• Familiarity with software: Microsoft Office, project management tools (Asana, Calendly, Slack), ETL (Alteryx, Knime), data analysis (Stata, SPSS, R, ATLAS.ti, Deedose), and data visualization (Tableau, Power BI, Python, D3) and report design (Visme, Canva, InDesign).
• Knowledge of utilization-focused evaluation and participatory research, and current research in child welfare, etc.
• Data management and analysis skills (quantitative & qualitative).
• Visual design and perception principles for clear data presentation.
• Spanish-language fluency (preferred).
• Lived experience in human services systems (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Support complex evaluation and research projects through data collection, data management, and analysis.
• Develop and disseminate reporting products.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to turn data into actionable information.
• Contribute to evaluation-focused and participatory research activities.
• Learn and apply new software and web-based tools as required.

Skills

Project coordination

Independent work

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in social sciences

PhD in social sciences (preferred)

Tools

Asana

Calendly

Slack

Alteryx

Knime

Tableau

Power BI

Python

D3

InDesign

Job description

Special Instructions to Applicants

A cover letter is required for consideration.

Department Summary

The UCLA Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL) empowers national, state, and local stakeholders to use data to make more timely and sound decisions impacting children, families, communities, and the workforces that serve them. We do this through 1) putting vital information into the hands of stakeholders in the form of data visualizations that efficiently and effectively meet their diverse and dynamic information needs, 2) implementing utilization-focused and developmental evaluation of programs and policies of mission-driven organizations and systems, and 3) building the capacity of systems and organizations to grow, use, and sustain data ecosystems. In these ways we work with our partners in different capacities, depending on their specific needs, ranging from leading full-scale evaluations to data collection, data management and processing, and data visualization.

Position Summary

The Research Associate position with the UCLA Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL) is an exciting opportunity for an applied researcher to contribute to the lab’s mission by supporting complex, multifaceted evaluation and research projects through data collection, data management, analysis, and the development and dissemination of reporting products. The position is designed for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment and is interested in strengthening and applying their experience across the research and evaluation lifecycle. The position is particularly well suited for someone who enjoys combining applied research methods, technology, collaboration, and effective communication to help turn data into useful and actionable information. The ideal candidate is a highly organized and intellectually curious research professional with strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams. Knowledge of utilization-focused evaluation, participatory research, human services systems, and visual design principles for communicating data in a clear, accurate, engaging, and equity-aware manner will be especially valuable.

Salary & Compensation

• UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Ability to assess priorities and coordinate workflows across projects to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner within a high-paced work environment including taking appropriate and immediate action as necessary. (Required)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as member of a research team across cultures and internally within a diverse and dynamic institution. (Required)
• Data collection experience and skills including survey design and programing, coordinating data collection plans, and facilitating focus groups and interviews with a wide-range of stakeholder groups (Required)
• Working knowledge and skill in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. (Required)
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with a widerange of stakeholder groups in a concise, coherent, and engaging manner. (Required)
• Demonstrated strong interest and ability to learn new software and web-based apps as required with minimal hands-on training. (Required)
• Skill operating various software and web-based apps: Microsoft Office, project management (Asana, Calendly, Slack), ETL (Alteryx, Knime), data analysis (Stata, SPSS, R, ATLAS.ti, Deedose), and data visualization (Tableau, Power BI, Python, D3) and report designing (Visme, Canva, InDesign). (Required)
• Working knowledge of utilization-focused evaluation and participatory research, as well as current research in child welfare, criminal/juvenile justice, education, or related fields. (Required)
• Skills and experience in data management and analysis (e.g., quantitative & qualitative analysis). (Required)
• Working knowledge of visual design and perception principles to present data in a clear, accurate, engaging, and equity-aware manner. (Required)
• Spanish-language fluency (reading, writing, and speaking). (Preferred)
• Lived experience and/or professional direct service experience in a human services system(s) (e.g., child welfare, criminal/juvenile justice, mental/behavioral health, housing, etc.). (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree in social work, psychology, education, public policy, public health, or another social science field, and 4 years of experience in an applied research setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Required) Or
• PhD in social work, industrial and organizational psychology, community psychology, education, public policy, public health, or related social science field. (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
• 10% Some travel for in-person meetings required as needed.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Union/Policy Covered

RP-Research and Public Service PR