Associate Data Scientist, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy

Pay Grade: 32E   Context of job: The Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) within the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Delaware conducts rigorous research in education, health care, and human services. CRESP is engaged in a formal Strategic Data Partnership with the Delaware Department of Education (“DDOE”) CRESP employs a team of data analysts who, along with other CRESP researchers, collaborate with DDOE on high-quality research projects focused on K-16 policy, and who provide consultation to the DDOE on connecting research and policy. This Strategic Data Partnership is designed to increase the DDOE’s capacity for research and analytics to advance and support the mission and vision of the DDOE across the Department’s numerous teams and workgroups.

This Associate Data Scientist position requires technical database programming and statistical analysis on specific data-analytic tasks and research projects related to current issues in K-16 policy in Delaware. Responsibilities include (a) ensuring reporting data on educators in the state is accurate, (b) supporting the development of data systems and collection processes, (c) providing support for analyses of complex and large-scale data from DDOE databases, and (d) additional analyses of K-16 data as indicators of educational processes and outcomes. Skills required include advanced techniques in applied data analysis and program evaluation, proficiency in data management and analysis platforms (e.g., R, SAS, SQL, STATA), and knowledge of statistics and quantitative and qualitative research methods.   Major responsibilities: • Co-manage statewide administrative and assessment databases.
• Lead analyses of state databases related to school staffing, student performance, and other education policy issues.
• Develop specific research questions related to current education policy issues.
• Conduct reviews of research literature related to education current policy issues and planned research projects.
• Develop analytic strategies for answering policy-related research questions.
• Conduct research and data analysis related to core policy initiatives.
• Design and implement data collection protocols (e.g., surveys, observations, assessments).
• Author or co-author research reports, analytic memos, policy briefs, fact sheets, legislative summaries, communication materials, and other research/policy documents.
• Assist DDOE senior staff in developing or refining education policy informed by research.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.   Qualifications: • Master’s degree required, Ph.D. preferred, in education, or related social science discipline, such as economics, statistics, psychometrics, public policy, sociology, psychology, etc.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis platforms (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS, STATA)
• Experience with relational database queries (e.g., SQL) preferred
• Proficiency or willingness to learn qualitative data analysis platforms (NVivo, Dedoose)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Project and process management skills
• Advanced proficiency of Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of communication technology platforms (Zoom, MS Teams, Twitter, etc.) preferred
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong mathematics skills
• Strong work ethic and commitment to research and evidence-based policy