Full-Time Research Assistant

RSCH DATA ANL 2 (006256)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1791

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

10/31/2024 1:55:34 PM

Date Last Edited:

10/31/2024 1:55:32 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1160O

Organization:

ANDERSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT          

Division Code:

1161D

Division:

MANAGEMENT DIV                         

Department:

030000 - ANDERSON GRAD SCH OF MANAGEMENT

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1791

Position Description ID

216389

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH DATA ANL 2 (006256)

Business Title:

Full-Time Research Assistant

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 21

Job Code FLSA:

Non-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:

40752716

Reports to Payroll Title:

PROJECT POLICY ANL SUPV 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40733901

Department Head Payroll Title:

PROF-AY-B/E/E

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

Economics professors Dan Benjamin (UCLA), David Cesarini (NYU), Patrick Turley (USC), statistical geneticist Alex Young (UCLA) and their co-authors employ full‐time research assistants at UCLA with start dates during the summer of 2025. We would like to hire students interested in social-science genomics: the identification of genetic variation that is associated with variation in behavior and other social-science-relevant phenotypes. Prior experience is not necessary. Research assistants should have an interest in applying to a quantitative Ph.D. program (e.g., Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Genetics, Sociology) and pursuing an academic research career. The previous research assistants from across Dan Benjamin's Full-Time Research Assistant positions have gone on (in the last seven years) to top PhD programs in Economics and related disciplines at Harvard (4x), MIT, MIT Sloan, Stanford, Yale (2x), UChicago (2x), UChicago Booth, Columbia (2x), NYU (2x), Wharton, Northwestern, UCSD, UMD, and UCSF.

Current projects include identifying genetic variants with causal effects on educational attainment and many other traits, creating optimal genetic predictors for a range of traits, and developing new statistical methods. For examples of past research, see the "Research" tab at https://www.danieljbenjamin.com/publications. Research assistants are directly involved in the entire research process, including:

• Developing new methods to analyze genetic data

• Data analysis in R and Python

• Background research and literature reviews for paper writing

• Drafting sections of manuscripts for publication

• Visualizing data for manuscripts and presentations

The budget for this position is $68,800/yr + benefits.

To apply, please submit the following (required) documents to ssgacrecruit@gmail.com:

(1) A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position

(2) your resume

(3) your unofficial (or official) transcript

(4) a paper you've written for a course, a research paper, or other writing sample, and

(5) names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of 3 references (letters not required)

Economics professors Dan Benjamin (UCLA), David Cesarini (NYU), Patrick Turley (USC), statistical geneticist Alex Young (UCLA) and their co-authors employ full‐time research assistants at UCLA with start dates during the summer of 2025. We would like to hire students interested in social-science genomics: the identification of genetic variation that is associated with variation in behavior and other social-science-relevant phenotypes. Prior experience is not necessary. Research assistants should have an interest in applying to a quantitative Ph.D. program (e.g., Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Genetics, Sociology) and pursuing an academic research career. The previous research assistants from across Dan Benjamin’s Full-Time Research Assistant positions have gone on (in the last seven years) to top PhD programs in Economics and related disciplines at Harvard (4x), MIT, MIT Sloan, Stanford, Yale (2x), UChicago (2x), UChicago Booth, Columbia (2x), NYU (2x), Wharton, Northwestern, UCSD, UMD, and UCSF.

Data Analysis

Performs advanced econometric analysis using statistical software such as R and Python and stata, as well as specialized software that has been developed for analyzing SNP-level genotypic data (E)

Develop new software to implement novel statistical methods that we develop on our team. (E)

Recommends statistical techniques for data analysis. (E)

Generates graphs, charts or tables to present analysis results and provides interpretation. (E)

60%

Research Management, Development, & Support

Develops new methods to analyze genetic data. (E)

Assists in the design of study protocols. (E)

Recommends methods and procedures for data acquisition, management and quality control. (E)

Performs background research and literature reviews for experiment/survey design and paper writing (E)

30%

Documenting Results

Contributes to the writing of research papers, articles, reports and other documentation of study results. (E)

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

A bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or genetics.

Required

Knowledge of one or more of R, Python, or STATA

Required

Strong work ethic and organizational skills

Required

Ability to work independently and with minimal guidance

Required

An interest in genoeconomics

Required

Strong writing skills

Required

Knowledge of Latex

Preferred

Experience with Unix commands

Preferred

Familiarity with various statistical analyses such as OLS, MLE, and PCA

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Anderson - Genomics

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.