Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues. To be considered for this position, all supplemental questions must be answered.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently working to build out five research centers focused on critical aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five centers will research housing , education , public health , economic mobility and inequality , and population dynamics . Each center will investigate its particular topic area and will work across centers.To achieve this, each center is building interdisciplinary teams specializing in solutions-oriented research while using a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and conduct research that values diversity in expertise and prioritizes the community in identifying and addressing some of the most pressing questions and challenges facing Houston to inform decision-making and bring about change in the region.

As part of this build-out, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research is seeking a full-time research analyst to join its Economic Mobility team and further its vision of improving lives in Houston by bringing data and research to decision-makers. Focal areas include economic mobility and inequality, education, housing, population dynamics, and public health. The research analyst will assist with developing research questions, collecting data (as needed), analyzing data, and presenting research findings. Research analysts may supervise and guide student research assistants as well. The research analyst is expected to attend weekly staff and research team meetings.

Ideal candidates work well in a team environment, actively collaborate, and can motivate others. They have superior scientific and numerical skills, meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work within Harris County and surrounding counties to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the hiring salary is $65,500 - $68,500 annually, contingent on qualifications and experience. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) in sociology, economics, other social science, or related field and completion of a University-level course, thesis, dissertation AND
• 
  Two years of experience in the following:
  
  
  • Data maintenance and analysis;
  • Maintaining quality control standards;
  • Quantitative methodology; and
  • Stata, SAS, or R.
  • In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
  
  
• 
  Skills
  
  
  • Knowledge of software statistical packages such as Stata, SAS, R, or HLM
  • Excellent analytical and research skills
  • Ability to build reports
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading
  • Excellent presentation skills
  
  

Preferences

• PhD degree (or foreign equivalent) in economics and one year of experience in the following:
• Data maintenance and analysis;
• Maintaining quality control standards;
• Quasi-experimental econometric studies such as regression discontinuity designs (sharp and fuzzy); and
• Stata, SAS, or R.

Essential Functions

• Assists with research projects, including in the design and planning of research questions, and participates in data collection and analysis, as well in the dissemination and communication of findings
• Identifies, locates, and obtains data and information necessary for conducting research projects
• Uses quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies from the social sciences
• Maintains and implements quality control standards for varying research projects
• Facilitates planning, scheduling, execution, and completion of research projects
• Runs statistical analyses using standard statistical methods and techniques
• Codes and analyzes qualitative data to derive meaning from in-depth interviews or focus groups
• Utilizes appropriate statistical software programs to conduct research
• Verifies the accuracy and replicability of data analysis using scientific and numerical skills
• Interprets and communicates research findings for various audiences and publications, including research briefs, journals, manuscripts, professional conferences, and data visualization graphics
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Design and implement advanced econometric analysis by applying machine learning methods or quasi-experimental research design such as regression discontinuity and synthetic differences-in-differences.
• Design and implement randomized controlled trials, including, but not limited to, blocked and clustered designs.
• Manage individuals collecting data in field work.

Working Conditions

• Occasional travel
• Evening and/or weekend work as needed

Kinder Institute for Urban Research https://kinder.rice.edu/

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

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