Research Data Analyst - Tennessee Reading Research Center - UTK

The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) conducts state and federally funded research on literacy initiatives, instruction, and assessment. The Research Data Analyst leads specialized data management, analysis, and reporting projects supporting TRRC research and related policy and program initiatives. The position designs data collection and reporting tools; consults with internal and external stakeholders to define data needs; and prepares, validates, integrates, secures, and archives complex educational datasets from multiple sources. The Research Data Analyst independently addresses complex data issues, selects appropriate analytic methods consistent with research standards, and performs advanced statistical analyses of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and correlation designs. Methods may include propensity score weighting, growth curve modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, regression discontinuity, structural equation modeling, and meta-analysis. The position develops reproducible code, data-quality procedures, reports, queries, tables, and visualizations; presents findings to stakeholders; and produces data products that inform research, data-collection practices, policy decisions, and program initiatives.

Responsibilities

Data Quality, Preparation, Tool Development, and Process Improvement:

• Lead projects within an area of specialty related to research data quality, preparation, collection, and reporting.

• Consult with internal research teams, external partners, and other stakeholders to understand data needs; design and develop data collection and reporting tools, applications, queries, and processes that deliver requested information and support research initiatives.

• Prepare complex research datasets by writing efficient, robust, and clearly documented code to import, merge, clean, standardize, link, de-identify, and archive data from multiple sources.

• Validate dataset integrity and conduct quality-control checks to identify, prevent, investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve errors, inconsistencies, missing data, and other data-preparation issues.

• Work independently on complex issues requiring in-depth analysis of variable factors and use innovative solutions to resolve problems, modifying approaches when competing policies, data requirements, technical constraints, or stakeholder needs are present.

• Collaborate with the Data Engineer, external research partners, and internal research team to establish data-validity checks, quality-control procedures, data management practices, and appropriate safeguards for personally identifiable information.

Statistical Analysis and Research Methods:

• Exercise latitude in determining analytic objectives, selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria, and developing solutions consistent with broadly defined research policies, procedures, practices, and professional standards.

• Participate with the TRRC Director and lead Statistician in selecting appropriate research methods and analytic approaches based on research questions, study design, available data, and relevant contextual factors.

• Independently investigate and resolve complex issues arising during data analysis, including issues involving data structure, model specification, assumptions, missing data, and interpretation of findings.

• Perform complex data analyses using advanced statistical modeling methods, including propensity score weighting, growth curve modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, regression discontinuity, structural equation modeling, meta-analysis, and other methods appropriate to randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and correlation research designs.

• Execute all analyses in an explicit, reproducible manner using annotated, documented, and version-controlled scripts.

Reporting, Visualization, and Stakeholder Consultation:

• Independently develop and deliver reports, tables, graphs, dashboards, and other data visualizations for the TRRC Director, internal research team, and external partners.

• Present findings, analytic results, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders in clear, accessible formats.

• Create reports and data products that inform or influence research priorities, programmatic initiatives, data-collection practices, and policy decisions.

• Consult with stakeholders to clarify reporting needs, develop ad hoc queries, and deliver accurate and timely data reports that address research questions and decision-making needs.

Documentation, Open Science, and Project Support:

• Support the TRRC’s data documentation and open-science framework by maintaining accurate, timely, and complete records of data collection, data preparation, quality-control, transformation, analysis, and reporting processes.

• Create and maintain documentation such as codebooks, data definitions, data-quality test catalogs, query catalogs, procedural guides, and records of data sources and routine analytic processes.

• Establish and maintain documentation standards that promote transparency, reproducibility, continuity, and appropriate data governance across projects.

• Mentor student workers supporting TRRC projects and provide guidance on data preparation, documentation, quality-control, reproducible analytic practices, and effective communication of findings.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education:

  • Master's degree in statistics, educational measurement, biostatistics, or related field

• Experience :

  • Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible experience in conducting complex statistical analysis with multilevel data.

  • Applicable experience with computer languages: R, Java, Python, C, C++, Rust Ruby, SQL, Haskell

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Skills in statistical analysis of multilevel data used in social science, education, or health research.

  • Skills in using R statistical software.

  • Skills in SQL programming and in importing, exporting, and integrating files and data from multiple software programs and sources.

  • Ability to work with large, complex, multivariate datasets; verify and check data thoroughly for accuracy and completeness; and identify, troubleshoot, and resolve data-quality issues.

  • Ability to learn new statistical methods, software, and programming approaches and to continually acquire new competencies.

  • Knowledge of standards and best practices for documenting code, data transformations, analytic decisions, and codebooks.

  • Skill in creating clear, accurate tables, graphs, visualizations, and other representations of data.

  • Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.

  • Excellent written, numerical, and graphical communication skills.

  • Ability to work quickly and accurately with strong attention to detail.

  • Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize tasks, solve problems, meet deadlines, and follow through on assignments with minimal direction, often under pressure.

  • Ability to communicate technical concepts, data issues, analytic methods, and results effectively to end users, research partners, management, and other stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education :

  • Certificate in applied statistical analysis

• Experience :

  • Experience working with statewide longitudinal data systems

  • Advanced knowledge of R packages

  • Demonstrated work ethic for successful management of multiple short-term and long-term projects, independent completion of projects with accuracy, thoroughness and creativity, and timely meeting of deadlines under pressure.

  • Experience testing different applications for enhancing data collection and use.

  • Advanced verbal communication and writing abilities for disseminating technical results

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C++, and Java Script

  • Knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs

  • Knowledge of Bayesian statistics

  • Knowledge of statistical analyses for multilevel data

  • Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research, analysis, and statistical methods

  • Knowledge of preK-12 education data

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR12

• Anticipated hiring range: $70,000-$75,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division

The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) is conducting state-level evaluations of literacy initiatives as well as federally funded research to identify effective literacy instructional practices and improve the determination of students’ literacy outcomes. The projects are led by Professor and Director Dr. Deborah K Reed. The TRRC works with a dynamic team of professional and student staff as well as external collaborators from other universities, state education agencies, and school districts.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!