Research Analyst (Hybrid Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) Economic & Public Policy Research group (EPPR) provides customized economic and demographic data analysis and policy studies on topics of interest to policymakers in government, business, and academia. Common research themes include workforce, housing, infrastructure, local and regional economic development, industry ecosystems, demographic and socioeconomic trends, population estimates and projections, and economic impact analysis.

The Research Analyst supports project implementation working under the direction of experienced UMDI research professionals. Research Analysts' work focuses primarily on activities related to data collection, analysis, and reporting of findings. The position may entail writing duties and some independent project tasks.

Essential Functions

• Completes literature reviews and background research, which may include research articles, secondary data, and policy/program information.
• Develops and/or acquires instruments and training protocols to support primary data collection activities.
• Coordinates logistical support, including working with clients and stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate data collection.
• Identifies and utilizes secondary data from a range of public and private sources.
• Develops and maintains project databases. Conducts and/or oversees data entry, data management, and quality assurance protocols.
• Conducts analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Contributes to the development of high-quality project deliverables by developing clear visual and narrative descriptive summaries of data.

Other Functions

• Shares expertise with colleagues within the business unit and across UMDI.
• Assists with responses to development opportunities, including proposal-related research and writing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree.
• Completion of a statistics course and/or research methods course.
• Experience with statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, R, or SAS.
• Demonstrated proficiency in professional office software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and engage in collaborative research in a team setting.
• Strong attention to detail, high levels of accuracy and organization, and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Must have the flexibility to travel on an as-needed basis within Massachusetts and occasionally outside of the Commonwealth to attend meetings and collect data.
• Ability to transport supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's degree.
• Academic discipline in the social sciences including Economics, Geography, Regional Planning, Resource Economics, Public Policy, Sociology, or related discipline.
• Experience with other specialized software packages such as Access, ArcGIS, or other database software.
• Experience working with public data sources including the U.S. Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• One year of relevant professional experience in economics, demographics, or public policy.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Multiple hours in stationary position, using office equipment and computers, attending meetings, working closely and collaboratively with others.
• Home-based office environment must include high-speed internet access, sufficiently free of distractions, where the employee will be expected to maintain regular communication with supervising manager(s) and colleagues.
• In-office environment is a busy, collegial area resulting in multiple interruptions and requests for assistance.
• Occasional travel within Massachusetts and outside Commonwealth.
• The physical/mental demands and work environment factors described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Additional Details

• This is a full-time, benefited position.
• This position is funded by grants and/or contracts, and is contingent upon funding.
• Applicants must be work authorized for employment in the U.S on a full-time basis.
• Any job offer is specifically conditioned upon the potential candidate consenting to and successfully completing a background review.

Work Schedule

• Standard full-time work schedule consisting of five, eight-hour days and 40 hours each workweek.
• Work performed in addition to the regular work hours may be necessary, as may be a change in availability at specific times, to accommodate for variations in work demands.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Processional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union Collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Salary Level 25

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.