Data Scientist

26917BR

Inst for Policy & Social Res

Position Overview

The Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) is a designated research center for the social sciences, supporting social science researchers at the University of Kansas. IPSR supports faculty-led research centers, their directors, and a network of more than 100 affiliates, and staff.

The Care Board Project is a new initiative, partially funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, to develop a comprehensive set of statistics and data repository of the U.S. care economy. The first two years of this project will focus on research and development, building the dashboard, and developing comprehensive statistics. This project, led by Misty Heggeness, will be nimble, transformational, and agile. An advisory board of leading experts will provide guidance to staff and the project. By the end of second year, the Care Board will be developed and accessible, providing leading data on the care economy to the public, policymakers, researchers, and the media. Those interested in innovative projects in economics and statistics, problem-solving tough challenges, and team building among a diverse group of team members are encouraged to apply.

The Data Scientist position expands and maintains the database for a publicly available dashboard, creates web applications to promote data dissemination, facilitates data collection and visualization, provides data and research support for the Care Board project, and leads other special projects as assigned.

The position housed within the Kansas Population Center in the Institute for Policy & Social Research.  The position reports to the IPSR Associate Research Scientist. The Kansas Population Center (KPC) is a designated research center for the population studies, supporting social science researchers and demographers at the University of Kansas and neighboring states in the Midwest. KPC supports multiple research centers, their directors, and a network of more than 100 affiliates, and staff. Its mission is to be the leading midwestern demographic research center covering births, deaths, and everything in the middle.

Job Description

Data (45%) - Maintain and expand the Care Board’s collection of demographic, socio-economic, and other data on caregivers. Digital collection housed in MySQL online database format for public access. Maintain historic archive of CD/DVD and print collection. Stay informed on changes to the methodology or survey programs of major data providers, primarily the U.S. Census Bureau but also the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and numerous state agencies. Consult with clients, typically faculty and students, on data needs. Create and maintain software to support interdisciplinary and social science research. Suggest data sources and/or access and prepare data for client. Clean and organize any existing data for visualization. Conceptualize and design effective data visualizations including spatial representations of data.

Research Support (40%) - Assist with research data collection through the design and implementation of web surveys. Create data visualizations. Perform data analysis using SAS, Stata, R, and other statistical software. Independently decides on solutions to technical problems and methods. Creates new approaches to research problems and ensures that improvements and solutions are implemented. Independently exercises judgment to develop best practices for research projects. Provide training, as needed, to research staff and students on data availability, access, and usage (introductory and advanced topics, such as spatial statistics).

Web Development (5%) - Design and develop dynamic, web-based applications to provide easy access to the Care Board’s data holdings. Stay informed on the latest advances in web accessibility, changes in web publishing, and any changes that may occur in the KU infrastructure.

Other Tasks/Special Projects (10%) - Represent the Care Board network, lead other tasks or projects as needed. Maintain a network of interested parties, disseminate news and data relevant to the community, and offer assistance and training on the access and use of the Care Board data.

Position Requirements

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete online application includes a cover letter, a resume/CV, and names and contact information for 3 professional references.

Application review will begin January 22nd and continue until deadline of January 25th. To be considered, please apply by this date.

Advertised Salary Range

$75,000

Application Review Begins

22-Jan-2024

Anticipated Start Date

12-Feb-2024

Limited Term End Date

31-May-2025

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FLSA Status

Administrative

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Schedule

40 hours/week

Job Family

Information Technology-KUL

Conditions of Employment

Contingent on Funding, Limited Term

Work Location Assignment

Telework

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.