Research Analyst (Hybrid Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access fuel innovation and creativity and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863 UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching research scholarship and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse equitable and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valuedand thrives and offers a full range of undergraduate graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental social economic and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) Economic & Public Policy Research group (EPPR) provides customized economic and demographic data analysis and policy studies on topics of interest to policymakers in government business and academia. Common research themes include workforce housing infrastructure local and regional economic development industry ecosystems demographic and socioeconomic trends population estimates and projections and economic impact analysis.

The Research Analyst supports project implementation working under the direction of experienced UMDI research professionals. Research Analysts work focuses primarily on activities related to data collection analysis and reporting of findings. The position may entail writing duties and some independent project tasks.

Essential Functions

• Completes literature reviews and background research which may include research articles secondary data and policy/program information.
• Develop and/or acquire instruments and training protocols to support primary data collection activities.
• Coordinates logistical support including working with clients and stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate data collection.
• Identifies and utilizes secondary data from a range of public and private sources.
• Develops and maintains project databases. Conducts and/or oversees data entry data management and quality assurance protocols.
• Conducts analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Contributes to the development of high-quality project deliverables by developing clear visual and narrative descriptive summaries of data.

Other Functions

• Shares expertise with colleagues within the business unit and across UMDI.
• Assists with responses to development opportunities including proposal-related research and writing.
• Participates in business unit and UMDI-wide initiatives as required
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge Skills Abilities Education Experience Certifications Licensure)

• Bachelors degree.
• Completion of a statistics course and/or research methods course.
• Experience with geospatial and/or statistical software such as ArcGIS Stata SPSS R Python or SAS.
• Demonstrated proficiency in professional office software such as Word Excel PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and engage in collaborative research in a team setting.
• This position requires strong attention to detail high levels of accuracy and organization and the necessity to meet deadlines.
• Must have the flexibility to travel on an as-needed basis within Massachusetts and occasionally outside of the Commonwealth to attend meetings and collect data.
• Ability to transport supplies up to 20 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge Skills Abilities Education Experience Certifications Licensure)

• Masters degree.
• One (1) year of relevant professional experience in economics demographics or public policy.
• Academic discipline in the social sciences including Economics Geography Regional Planning Resource Economics Public Policy Sociology Data Science or related disciplines.
• Experience with other specialized software packages such as Access or other database software.
• Experience working with public data sources including the U.S. Census Bureau of Labor Statistics and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Multiple hours in stationary position using office equipment and computers attending meetings working closely and collaboratively with others.
• Home-based office environment must include high-speed internet access sufficiently free of distractions where the employee will be expected to maintain regular communication with supervising manager(s) and colleagues.
• In-office environment is a busy collegial area resulting in multiple interruptions and requests for assistance.
• Occasional travel within Massachusetts and outside of the Commonwealth.
• The physical/mental demands and work environment factors described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Additional Details

• This is a full-time benefited position.
• This position is funded by grants and/or contracts and is contingent upon funding.
• Applicants must be work authorized for employment in the U.S on a full-time basis.
• Any job offer is specifically conditioned upon the potential candidate consenting to and successfully completing a background review.
• This role reports to the Hadley MA offices.

Work Schedule

• Standard full-time work schedule consisting of five eight-hour days and 40 hours each workweek.
• Work performed in addition to the regular work hours may be necessary as may be a change in availability at specific times to accommodate for variations in work demands.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employees work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 25

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.