Senior Research Associate

RSCH DATA ANL 3 (006257)

UCPath Position ID: MI-DPT035000-JC006257-PD213655

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

3/12/2025 1:28:30 PM

Date Last Edited:

3/12/2025 1:28:25 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

9/20/2024

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:

MI-DPT035000-JC006257-PD213655

Position Description ID

213655

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH DATA ANL 3 (006257)

Business Title:

Senior Research Associate

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 23

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

1 - Staff: Contract

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

TBD_1326

Reports to Payroll Title:

Project and Policy Analysis Manager 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40065123

Department Head Payroll Title:

PROF-AY

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

POSITION SUMMARY

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

• Supporting the development of research and evaluation grant/contract proposals

• Assisting with the planning of evaluation and research designs and activities

• Coordinating data collection, management, preparation for analysis, analysis, and reporting

• Conducting basic and advanced data analyses

• Developing and preparing various reporting products in support of dissemination efforts

• Aiding with other general administration of evaluation and research activities

The Senior Research Associate operates in a complex technical environment using several software products (e.g., Tableau, Alteryx, R, Stata, Knime, Python, ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, Salesforce, Asana, Calendly). The Senior Research Associate supports capacity building of AVAL partners, assesses information needs of project stakeholders, and manages day-to-day evaluation and research activities, as needed, to ensure efficient and effective research operations including that of Research Associates and other research team members to accomplish project goals. The Senior Research Associate  supports existing data security and confidentiality procedures. The Senior 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.

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 Planning and Data Collection Support

Support the design of research methodologies and evaluation plans.

Lead the development of research instruments (e.g., surveys, scales, interview/focus group protocol).

Collaborates with stakeholders to identify and continuously assess their unique information needs and goals.

Coordinate the implementation of data collection plans.

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.

Serve as a liaison between research team members and stakeholders to schedule and refine the logistics of data collection as needed.

Assist with coordinating workflows of and providing feedback to research team members in the execution of their assigned data collection activities.

25%

Data Management

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

Serve as a liaison between research team members and stakeholders to investigate and optimize data quality to the extent necessary to achieve project goals.

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

Assist with coordinating workflows of and providing feedback to research team members in the execution of their assigned data management activities.

Monitor compliance with 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 and advanced quantitative analysis (e.g., descriptive/inferential statistics), including use of appropriate software (e.g., Tableau, Stata, R, SPSS, GIS).

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

Assist with coordinating workflows of, and providing feedback to, research team members in the execution of their assigned data analysis activities (e.g., quantitative and qualitative analyses).

25%

Reporting

Develop, prepare, and present evaluation and research dissemination products, including briefs, summaries, infographics, dashboards, and presentations via paper and online (e.g., Tableau, Visme, Canva, and other web-based apps).

Routine updating of paper and online reports.

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

Collaborates with stakeholders to interpret findings and develop relevant and actionable recommendations.

Supports the assessment and building of diverse stakeholders’ capacities, as needed, to drive the utilization of data and findings.

Assist with coordinating workflows of and providing feedback to research team members in the execution of their assigned reporting activities.

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

PhD

Ph.D. in social work, education, public policy, public health, or related social science field

Preferred

Or

Bachelor's Degree

Equivalent combination of education (at least a Bachelor's degree) and substantial experience in an applied research setting.

Required

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 advanced 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 advanced 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 advanced skills and experience in data management and analysis (e.g., quantitative & qualitative analysis).

Required

Demonstrated advanced 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

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

COVID and Flu Vaccinations: The position is subject to providing evidence of inoculation.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Luskin School of Public Affairs

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.