Qualitative Researcher

RSCH DATA ANL 3 RP (005274)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1000373

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

9/15/2026 12:23:44 PM

Date Last Edited:

9/24/2026 2:07:01 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

9/24/2026

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1120O

Organization:

EDUCATION & INFO STUDIES               

Division Code:

1121D

Division:

EDUCATION & INFO STUDIES DIV           

Department:

028800 - DEAN, GSE&IS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1000373

Position Description ID

263947

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH DATA ANL 3 RP (005274)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RP: Research and Public Service PR

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

4 - Staff: Limited

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

0.4

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40040424

Reports to Payroll Title:

ACAD PRG MGT OFCR 4 RP

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

41051550

Department Head Payroll Title:

HR Manager

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is a dynamic opportunity for individuals to contribute to a rapidly growing field of research related to the use and impact of digital media, especially social media and AI, on young people's social, emotional and cognitive development. The Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS-RC) is seeking a researcher with a deep understanding of this growing field, advanced qualitative methodological skills, and experience in writing academic articles as well as research summaries for a lay audience.

The candidate will play a key role in Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS-RC) research activities, leading the analysis component of the project in collaboration with SMS-RC project director, Ed&IS faculty leads, and our non-profit partner, Organization for Social Media Safety. Dr. Christine Ong will serve as the direct supervisor. Additional assignments will be delegated to the candidate based on the needs of the project. The candidate should have experience in advanced qualitative methods, research design and implementation.  A background in quantitative methods and program evaluation is desirable. The candidate should be able to work collaboratively with our team to write academic articles, research briefs, and plan for community convenings (e.g., sharing results with schools, parents, etc.). They should be familiar with literature associated with social media harms, digital literacy, and prevention and interventions that promote safe use of digital tools and digital citizenship.

The Research Analyst will serve as the primary contact for issues related to data generated through the Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS-RC) project under the general direction of the project director.  Major responsibilities include managing and analyzing data, designing new analyses and studies, and disseminating results through academic publications and accessible reports. Responsibilities also include writing grant proposals and preparing publications for various stakeholders including policymakers. 

The Department of Education at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies (Ed&IS) is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, with a steadfast commitment to advancing educational equity and social justice. We are committed to advancing educational research, practice, and policy to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion in education. By preparing future educators, researchers, and leaders and conducting cutting-edge research, we strive to create positive change and address the complex challenges facing education locally, nationally, and globally for the betterment of society.

Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS-RC) is an interdisciplinary project to study harms on social media and other digital platforms that brings together researchers from the School of Education and Information Studies and the Organization for Social Media Safety (OFSMS), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting social media safety through educational programming. The study aims to examine harms and risks on social media and their impact on wellbeing and to develop strategies to counter these harms targeting youth on social media platforms.

Study Design and Planning

Design and implement research studies in collaboration with the director of the project and other staff.

Conceptualize, develop, and refine tools and protocols (e.g. interviews, surveys, reflection prompts, coding schema for data) and strategies that support the scope of work for research. 

Develop a written draft of task design, methodology and/or project schedules as required. Assist in preparation of human subjects’ applications when needed.

Plan research design and methodology with multiple uses and audiences in mind.

Respond to needs of our partners, educators, policymakers and community groups, and recommend changes to research design and methodology to improve the utility of the research.

Prepare scope of work narratives and other elements of funding proposals.

30%

Data Management and Analysis

Work with our partners in data collection activities.

Oversee data cleaning, checking for consistency across locations and activities and that proper protocols are followed and consistent with project proposal and IRB specifications.

Organize and prepare data as necessary to preserve content and accuracy. Conduct qualitative analyses.

Prepare data output and summarize methods, results, and findings to share internally with our team for discussion and in preparation for publications.

30%

Dissemination

Write articles, research papers, blogs, and research summaries for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and for school website/newsletters. 

Prepare and write articles, reports, proposals, and other documents with fluency and precision.

Review reports for inaccuracies, inconsistency or lack of clarity and provide clear recommendations for appropriate treatment in public reporting and analysis.

Make presentations to academics, practitioners and other community members to explain the findings and implications for practice and policy (e.g., via webinars, conferences, colloquia, etc.).

30%

Program Development

Work with project team to develop white papers and funding proposals.

10%

•

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

degree in education, social sciences, public policy, statistics, law, economics or allied fields or equivalent experience / training.

Required

Knowledge of existing research related to the use and impact of digital media, especially social media and AI, on young people’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

Required

Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and successfully implement research projects

Required

Experience in conceptualizing, designing, and conducting research. Collecting and analyzing qualitative data independently and using standard qualitative computer packages (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, etc.)

Required

Background and experience in writing or contributing to the writing of academic articles, research and policy reports, briefs, infographics, proposals and/or other related documents. Excellent skills in oral and written English communication including skill in academic writing. Knowledge of APA.

Required

Demonstrated ability to prepare high level presentations for broad audiences such as education administrators, teen advisors and policymakers. Ability to explain methods and results to those without advanced statistical training.

Required

Ability and willingness to accept delegated work, provide regular updates, problem-solve, and follow-up to completion and/or report status of delegated tasks.

Required

Ability and willingness to work as an effective, collegial, contributing member of the project team and as may be necessary, work independently to successfully accomplish assigned tasks. Ability to work with competing deadlines, manage multiple assignments, meet fixed deadlines, and follow tasks. Ability to work with competing deadlines, manage multiple assignments, meet fixed deadlines, and follow tasks through to completion.

Required

Knowledge of and experience in using quantitative methods for data analysis.

Preferred

Knowledge and relevant experience in child and adolescent development, K-12 school environment, policy debates surrounding young people and digital media (e.g., school policies to restrict cell phone use during school day). 

Preferred

Demonstrated ability to extract data using computer programs and set up databases for statistical analysis of national education databases (e.g., CCD, CRDC, NAEP, etc.), and experience overseeing others collecting data.

Preferred

Experience writing grant proposals for extramural funding.

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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

SEIS Building

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

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

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.