Senior Research Associate

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The UCLA Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL) seeks a Senior Research Associate to lead complex evaluation projects, shaping research designs, coordinating data collection, and performing advanced analyses across multisite settings.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, interpret findings, and develop recommendations for partners. Strong written and verbal communication, data visualization skills, and experience with utilization-focused evaluation are essential.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to assess priorities and coordinate workflows across projects in a high-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and within a diverse research team.
• Strong data collection skills including survey design and coordination across multisite projects.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for broad stakeholder groups.
• Willingness to learn and adopt new software and web-based tools.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office and project management tools.
• Knowledge of utilization-focused evaluation and participatory research.
• Experience with data visualization to convey complex findings clearly.
• Knowledge of child welfare, education, or related fields is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of data collection activities across multiple projects.
• Develop and apply advanced analytical methods to interpret data.
• Coordinate research activities and report progress to stakeholders.
• Prepare a wide range of reporting products for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Skills

Project coordination

Qualitative & quantitative methods

Data collection & management

Survey programming

Data analysis (Stata, SPSS, R)

Advanced writing

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-cultural collaboration

Utilization-focused evaluation

Visual design principles

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences

PhD in Social Sciences (Preferred)

Tools

Asana

Calendly

Slack

Alteryx

Knime

Tableau

Power BI

Python

D3

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 Senior Research Associate position with the UCLA Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL) is an exciting opportunity for an experienced applied researcher to contribute to the lab’s mission by taking a leading role in complex, multifaceted evaluation and research projects. The Senior Research Associate will help shape research and evaluation designs, lead the development and implementation of data collection, conduct advanced analyses, and develop and prepare a wide-range of reporting products. The position is designed for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment and is ready to take greater responsibility for coordinating research activities and supporting the work of multidisciplinary teams. The role is particularly well suited for someone who enjoys combining advanced research methods, technology, and effective stakeholder engagement to help partners use data in their work. This position will collaborate directly with stakeholders to identify information needs, interpret findings, develop relevant recommendations, and build their capacity to use data and research findings. The position also provides opportunities to coordinate workflows and provide feedback to Research Associates and other members of the research team. The ideal candidate is a highly organized and intellectually curious applied research professional with advanced qualitative and quantitative research skills, substantial experience with data collection, management, and analysis, and excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Successful candidates will be able to independently navigate complex research activities while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams and with a wide range of stakeholders. Advanced 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

• Demonstrated 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)
• Demonstrated strong data collection experience and skills including measurement development and validation, survey programming, designing and coordinating data collection plans in a multisite project setting, and facilitating focus groups and interviews with a wide-range of stakeholder groups. (Required)
• Demonstrated strong knowledge and skill in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. (Required)
• Demonstrated advanced written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with a wide-range 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)
• Advanced 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)
• Demonstrated knowledge of utilization-focused evaluation and participatory research, as well as current research in child welfare, criminal/juvenile justice, education, or related fields. (Required)
• Demonstrated strong skills and experience in data management and analysis (e.g., quantitative & qualitative analysis). (Required)
• Demonstrated strong 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 6 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

Complete Position Description

https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Research%20Data%20Analyst%203%20RP%20(TBD_1000608)