Sr. Data Analyst

Job Description Summary:

The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center aims to accelerate states’ implementation of evidence- based policies that help all children thrive from the start.

We seek an experienced Senior Research Data Analyst to provide data management and analysis expertise to projects across the Center. The role primarily includes original survey and program data cleaning, data management, and statistical analyses for a portfolio of original research and evaluation projects. The Policy Impact Center’s research seeks to build the evidence base in key areas related to the impact of state policies and programs on outcomes for infants, toddlers, and their families. The role of the Senior Research Data Analyst is essential for transforming raw data into research assets, ensuring the validity and credibility of the Center’s research, resolving complex data challenges, and supporting timely research-based deliverables.

This Senior Research Data Analyst position provides essential data expertise and rigorous analytic support and guidance to a team of data researchers responsible for supporting the Center’s goals to build the evidence base for effective and equitable policymaking, track state progress in building a more effective and equitable system of care, and shape policy development in states through targeted assistance and support.

General Notes:

This position is a term appointment for 12 months beginning upon date of hire, and reports functionally and administratively to the Director of Data and Analytics, Kels Bowman. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment to continue to build a strong and equitable prenatal-to-3 system of care. This position can be performed remotely, and hybrid remote-work opportunities are available. Visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position.

The primary responsibilities of the position include: Data management, analysis, research, and writing:

• Contribute to the development of research questions, study designs, analytic plans,and methodological approaches for original research and evaluationprojects

• Manage survey data cleaning and preparation, including guiding processes for data collection and testing, providing support in developing the analytic plan andanalysis timeline, implementing quality assurance protocols and detailed documentation, constructing clean, validated analytic datasets that serve as the foundation for the Center’s portfolio of originalresearch

• Contribute to the development, programming, testing, and refinement of surveys, including reviewing measures, response options, skip logic, and data structures toensure alignment with research questions and analyticplans

• Work independently with messy, real-world data and exercise judgment in resolvingdata quality issues, missing data, and documentation challenges, ensuring analytic datasets aredefensible

• Acquire, manage, and analyze raw datasets, including administrative data from state agencies and national longitudinal sources such as Census, with demonstrated abilityto merge datasets, clean and prepare data for analysis, and assess representativeness, processes essential to the Center’s researchgoals

• Interpret data and independently select and apply appropriate statistical tests,analyze results, and provide ongoingreports

• Contribute to and/or lead the production of written products and academicpublications translating the results of policy research and analyses into actionable insights for stakeholders and statepolicymakers.

Project management and leadership:

• Ensure the methodological quality, validity, and integrity of all research analyses conducted, considering the most rigorous possible analytic approaches,appropriate assumptions and interpretation, and carefuldocumentation

• Communicate effectively with key project staff to ensure they are appropriatelyinformed of project progress, key decisions, and emergingissues

• Take a leadership role in managing data processes including datacollection, management, andanalysis

• Monitor compliance with data security and data retention policies to maintain andensure

the integrity of the Center’s data and research

• Coordinate with clients and stakeholders, as necessary to obtain andmanage administrativedatasets

• Contribute to developing and improving processes andprocedures

• Mentor and train staff in survey data cleaning, analytic workflows, and teamprocesses

• Monitor and supervise students to effectively contribute toprojects

Supervisory Relationships:

This position may supervise students and does not have staff supervisory responsibility.

Required/Essential qualifications:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with others in ateam environment

• Experience conducting data management, cleaning, and analysis using originalsurvey data

• Strong skills inR

• Exceptional analytic and critical thinkingskills

• Excellent project management and organizational skills, strong problem-solving abilities, tenacity about details andorganization

• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complexconcepts clearly andconcisely

• Experience contributing to original research or program evaluation projects,including developing analytic plans, documenting methods, and interpretingfindings

• Ability to come up to speed on new topics quickly, multi-task effectively, and produce high-quality work under time constraints; flexible and able to adapt to changingtimelines and circumstances whenneeded

• Demonstrated understanding and support for key concepts in diversity, equity,and inclusion

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusiveworking and learningenvironment

• Master’s degree with major coursework in the field of assignment, plus at least three years of related experience; Additional related experience may substitute forrequired education

Preferred skills:

• Experience providing supervision and guidance to otherstaff

• Skills inStata

• Graduate-level coursework or applied experience in research methods,survey methodology, program evaluation, causal inference, or appliedstatistics

• Experience with survey data tools (e.g., REDCap,Qualtrics)

• Knowledge of and familiarity with topics related to early childhood and/or socialpolicy

Coding Test Requirement:

As part of the selection process, competitive candidates will be asked to complete a 2-hour coding test. This test will assess your proficiency in coding, analyzing, and interpreting data. To complete the exercise, candidates will need access to a computer with R software.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich

backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.