Position Title: Picard Center for Child Development: Research Associate

Department: 9020|Picard Center for Child Dev

Responsibilities:

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette), a Carnegie R1 Top-Tier Research University, Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong learning seeks a qualified Research Associate to work with our team of researchers and investigative staff on ongoing research/program evaluation projects.
The associate will work under the direction of the CCYS project director and will assist project staff with data collection, entry/scanning, data analysis, and dissemination of findings. This position’s primary responsibilities include organizing, scanning, cleaning, and analyzing data from externally funded projects and prevention programs. Additional duties for the Research Analyst include preparing pretests and posttests for distribution, survey analysis, development, and refinement as well as aiding in formatting and writing reports, research articles, policy briefs, white papers and infographics.
Specific Duties:

Assist with coordinating, cleaning, and analyst of data for various center projects. Projects include program evaluations, survey development, refinement, and analysis.
• Assist with organizing, scanning, cleaning and assisting in reporting prevention program information to state agencies and providers.
• Assist in statistical analysis of program and survey data, including ability to synthesize findings in a manner that is understandable to various audiences (applied research).
• Assist in survey development, refinement and analysis of survey data for current and future projects.
• Assists principal investigator with summarization, analysis, and organization of data for reporting and/or publication.
• Assisting in the writing of project reports.
• Assist project staff with pre and posttest tracking, packing, and shipping orders to providers.
• Present findings to project funders.
• Assist in writing grant or project proposals.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance.

Additional Information
• To be successful the candidate must have experience working in a team environment, be dedicated to an inclusive/supportive team culture, have very strong attention to detail, have excellent time management and communication skills, and be highly organized.
• Verifiable work and personal references are required.
• Research portfolio or examples of data cleaning and analysis proficiency is required.

Qualifications:Required Qualifications:
• Master’s degree from an accredited college preferably in Statistics, OR experimental psychology, applied research, or related field with a minimum of 9 credit hours in quantitative methods.
• One year or more of post graduate data analysis experience.
• Experience using quantitative software such as SPSS (preferred), STATA, and/or R for data analysis.
• Experience cleaning data sets is required.
Preferred Qualifications: • Some knowledge and experience with qualitative methodology (e.g., Action Research, etc.), software (e.g., NVivo, etc.) and analysis.
• Knowledge in applied statistics (e.g., probability and statistical inference, regression, quantitative research methodology, etc.).
• Experience and/or knowledge of psychometric theory (e.g., survey construction, factor analysis, scoring and interpretation).
• Knowledge of geospatial software is a plus. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, etc.). 
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent analytic and critical thinking skills, writing skills, and ability to work within a team.
• An enthusiasm for research, and the ability and interest to learn new skills and take initiative as a project develops.
• Flexibility and ability to work within tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, along with the ability to work independently with initiative, and with colleagues from diverse cultures. 
• Experience presenting research results graphically and orally.
• Have reliable transportation (some travel may be required). Work onsite daily during normal working hours is required.

Job Ad# (req2300)