Research Associate

RSCH DATA ANL 2 RP (005273)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1000596

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

11/5/2026 5:07:52 PM

Date Last Edited:

11/5/2026 5:07:50 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

10/22/2026

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1180O

Organization:

LUSKIN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS        

Division Code:

1181D

Division:

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS               

Department:

117700 - AGILE VISUAL ANALYTICS LAB (AVAL)

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1000596

Position Description ID

265917

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH DATA ANL 2 RP (005273)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RP: Research and Public Service PR

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

41269872

Reports to Payroll Title:

SPECIALIST NON REP

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40065123

Department Head Payroll Title:

PROF-AY

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Research Associate works with the Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL) team to coordinate and implement complex, multifaceted program evaluation and research activities in a coherent and efficient fashion. Responsibilities and activities include:

• Coordinating research efforts and assisting with data collection (e.g., facilitating focus groups and interviews), management, preparation for analysis (experience with Alteryx preferred)

• Conducting basic data analysis

• Supporting the development, preparation, and dissemination of various reporting products

• Aiding with other general administration of evaluation and research activities

The Research Associate operates in a moderately complex technical environment using several software products (e.g., Tableau, Alteryx, R, Stata, Knime, Python, ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, Salesforce, Asana, Calendly). The Research Associate manages day-to-day evaluation and research activities, as needed, to ensure efficient and effective research operations.

The Research Associate supports existing data security and confidentiality procedures. The Research Associate is also responsible for on and off-site evaluation and research support, including; organizing and attending meetings with research partners and stakeholders, collecting/managing data, and supporting the reporting of research and evaluation findings. This position is eligible for remote work with some travel for in-person meetings required as needed.

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.

Research

Coordination and

Data Collection

Support

-Support the development of surveys, scales, interview/focus group protocol.

-Prepare research instruments for administration online or on paper including preparation of all supplementary materials required to facilitate proper data collection.

-Monitor collection and completion of data (e.g., online surveys, paper, audio/video recording, notes), as well as facilitate virtual and/or in-person focus group/interviews.

-Coordinate myriad calendars and schedules to ensure availability and participation of research team members in assigned data collection activities.

25%

Data Management

-Input data into analysis ready databases.

-Conduct data quality/reliability/blending activities including use of appropriate software (e.g., Alteryx, R, Knime, Python).

-Store/organize data in electronic formats in a fashion suitable for efficient retrieval.

-Support existing data security and confidentiality procedures.

-Manage file and folder system including consent forms, demographic information, transcriptions, surveys, and other research materials.

25%

Data Analysis

-Conduct basic quantitative analysis (e.g., descriptive/inferential statistics), including use of appropriate software (e.g., Tableau, Stata, R, GIS).

-Conduct basic qualitative analysis (e.g., grounded theory, field research) including use of appropriate software (e.g., Tableau, Excel, Word, ATLAS.ti, Dedoose)

25%

Reporting

-Supporting the development, preparation, and dissemination of evaluation and research reporting, including briefs, summaries, and presentations via paper and online (e.g., Tableau, Visme, Canva, and other web-based apps).

-Routine updating of paper and online reports (e.g., Tableau, Visme, Canva, and other web-based platforms).

-Store/organize reporting products in electronic or paper formats, in a fashion suitable for secure storage and efficient retrieval.

25%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

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, education, public policy, public health, or related social science field.

Preferred

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

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF 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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

Remote

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.