Research Data Analyst 3

RSCH DATA ANL 3 (006257)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_4461

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

6/25/2025 10:35:48 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/25/2025 10:35:42 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE

Division Code:

1350D

Division:

L&S SOCIAL SCIENCES

Department:

121500 - CALIFORNIA CNTR FOR POPULATION RESEARCH

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_4461

Position Description ID

240367

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH DATA ANL 3 (006257)

Business Title:

Research Data Analyst 3

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:

40061227

Reports to Payroll Title:

PROF-AY-B/E/E

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40061227

Department Head Payroll Title:

 PROF-AY-B/E/E

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The California Policy Lab is seeking an experienced Data Analyst with a background or interest in labor economics and policy to contribute to our organization's proven track record bridging the gap between academic researchers and government policymakers. CPL has compiled an unparalleled holding of administrative datasets and the Data Analyst will have the opportunity to apply methodologies from econometrics, statistics, and data science to original research projects that can generate actionable insights to improve California's labor programs and policies.

The successful candidate will be passionate about using data to find innovative solutions to the problems facing California policymakers and residents. They will be a highly skilled programmer with experience in manipulating and cleaning large administrative datasets in multiple programming languages including STATA and R. They will have a background or experience in implementing causal inference research designs and a familiarity with machine learning models is preferred. They will also be able to produce graphs, tables, maps, or other visual displays that clearly communicate research results. The Data Analyst will be required to follow coding guidelines established by CPL and to contribute to the organization's efforts to build richly detailed documentation of the data we use. The successful candidate will be able to learn the details of complex programs and help identify opportunities where high quality research could drive positive change in California's labor programs. They will be able to understand new and existing external research and how insights from that research can be applied to our research projects on California's labor programs.

This position requires an individual who is able to work both independently and as a part of small research teams to drive projects to completion. We seek a highly organized individual with excellent project and time management skills in order to balance running multiple projects concurrently, including fast-turnaround data analysis. This position will work with researchers at CPL, staff from state and local government agencies, as well as the leadership team at CPL, and will need excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with these different audiences.

The Data Analyst will report to CPL's senior research staff and will work collaboratively with CPL's Faculty Director, other CPL staff, and our partner agencies. We prefer applicants who are willing to work from the Los Angeles area.

About the California Policy Lab

The California Policy Lab generates research insights for government impact. Through hands-on partnerships with government agencies, CPL performs rigorous research across issue silos and builds the data infrastructure necessary to improve programs and policies that millions of Californians rely on every day. CPL's UCLA site is a dynamic and growing organization with nearly 20 full-time employees, half a dozen graduate student researchers, and numerous faculty affiliates.

CPL recognizes the value of having a diverse staff at all levels of the organization. We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent and understand the diverse racial and ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, educational, socioeconomic, cultural, and disability backgrounds present in California. When you join our team, you can expect to be part of an inclusive and equity-focused community.

Data Analysis

• Work with CPL partners to gather requirements for analyses that impact policy decisions.

• Clean, merge, and match data from large and complex administrative datasets to prepare analysis datasets and accomplish research tasks.

• Perform exploratory analysis on new datasets and identify potential research questions or projects the data could support.

• Create or add to existing data documentation that supports CPL’s research projects.

• Write replicable code adhering to CPL’s coding guidelines.

40%

Research Planning and Implementation

• Work with CPL’s Research Director and research managers to identify high-priority policy questions.

• Work with the research teams to write and implement detailed analysis plans that answer these high-priority policy questions.

• Fit and test a variety of statistical models and causal inference research designs that draw policy-relevant insights.

• Work with CPL’s Research Director and research managers to identify high-priority policy questions.

• Work with the research teams to write and implement detailed analysis plans that answer these high-priority policy questions.

• Fit and test a variety of statistical models and causal inference research designs that draw policy-relevant insights.

30%

Presentation of Results

• Provide in-person progress reports to CPL Directors, research team members, and policymakers.

• Summarize the results of analyses with data visualizations, presentations, and written reports that are accessible for technical and non-technical audiences.

30%

•

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 public policy, economics, statistics, or other relevant field or equivalent experience/training

Required

Master's Degree

Preferred

One year

Applicants must also have at least one year of relevant research experience; experience gained in school counts toward this requirement.

Required

Two to three years

Professional post-baccalaureate experience

Preferred

Experience working in an academic or think-tank environment

Preferred

Experience with business intelligence tools such as Tableau or PowerBI

Preferred

Experience with predictive modeling, machine learning, or artificial intelligence

Preferred

Project management experience

Preferred

Strong interest in applied policy questions in labor economics and labor market programs

Required

Mastery of data analysis and data visualization in Python, R, or Stata

Required

Experience working with large administrative datasets including knowledge of strategies for dealing with computing resource limits or for speeding up analyses

Required

Background and experience with causal inference research designs

Required

Superior verbal and written communication skills

Required

Attention to detail and ability to organize and document workflow

Required

Strong initiative and a resourceful approach to problem-solving

Required

Ability to work independently and as part of a team; Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes; Ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data

Required

Substantive knowledge or experience in at least one of our core research areas – homelessness, health, criminal justice, poverty, education, or labor

Preferred

Understanding of relational databases and mastery of data analysis and data management in SQL

Preferred

Experience implementing machine learning models

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:

Public Affairs 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

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Other Mental Requirements

If "Mental demands other" was selected above, please explain:

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.