2022-51: Technical Research Analyst

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of people with low incomes, being part of a multidisciplinary staff, turning research findings into better public policies, and having hands-on involvement in building better programs, then consider an opportunity with MDRC to be involved in the cutting edge of social research methodology.

MDRC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization that works to find solutions to some of the most difficult problems facing the nation—from reducing poverty, promoting fairness and efficacy in public welfare and justice systems, and bolstering economic well-being to improving public education, college graduation, and pathways to meaningful employment. We design promising new interventions, evaluate existing programs using the highest research standards, and provide technical assistance to build better programs and deliver effective interventions at scale.

MDRC’s Youth, Criminal Justice, and Employment Division is currently seeking Technical Research Analysts to work in our dynamic and challenging environment in our New York City, Los Angeles, Oakland, CA, offices. Project work for this position may include:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of criminal justice policies and programs, ranging from pretrial services to post-incarceration reentry programming and community supervision. Click here to learn more about work in MDRC’s Center for Criminal Justice Research.
• Identifying the most effective ways to improve labor market outcomes for disadvantaged young people and populations facing barriers to employment, criminal justice involvement, substance use disorders, and disabilities. Click here to learn more about our work in this area.
• Evaluating policies and reforms designed to change the way that the child support system responds to parents who owe child support and to parents who receive child support. Click here to learn more about our work in this area.

Responsibilities:

The main responsibilities of a Technical Research Analyst are to collect, process, manage, and analyze a variety of quantitative datasets to help determine the effectiveness of social programs and policies. Key responsibilities include:

• • Writing code to create outcome measures, restructure data files, perform data-cleaning operations, and perform various forms of statistical and data analysis.
  • Creating codebooks and other data documentation.
  • Contributing to and implementing the project team’s data management and security plans.
  • Data collection and management, such as creating data sharing agreements and negotiating access with external partners, managing the processing of different data sources, and guiding data decision making across teams.
  • Writing technical memos that document data processing decisions and summarize the quality of data.
  • Running statistical models to identify the impacts of social programs and policies.
  • Conducting other types of analysis, including survey response analysis.
  • Contributing to analytical sections of research reports.

Qualifications:

We are looking for candidates with strong backgrounds and work experience in quantitative research, data management, or both. The ideal candidate will be a passionate problem-solver—someone who relishes the intricacies of writing code to clean and manage difficult data. This role is a fit for someone who loves data and is interested in working as part of a team.

• • 2-5 years of experience with a statistical programming or database programming language, such as R, SAS, SQL, STATA, or SPSS.
  • A master’s degree (or bachelor’s degree with relevant experience) in statistics, economics, public policy, sociology, psychology, computer programming, mathematics, or a related field preferred.
  • A good understanding of quantitative research methods and experience applying quantitative research methods.
  • Active involvement in various stages of research projects, from project design to analysis and reporting.
  • Strong data management experience is desired.
  • Fluency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Ability to be flexible, multi-task, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong technical documentation skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit under Social Policy Worker United (SPWU) – Local 57 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Location: The position can be based in MDRC’s New York City, Los Angeles, or Oakland, CA, offices. MDRC does anticipate a hybrid work environment through September 2022, regardless of location.

Compensation and benefits: Salary will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits and relocation assistance offered. Some on-the-job training is provided.

Instructions: When submitting your application, please include:

• Resume
• Cover letter 
• Programming sample 

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that the health and safety of our employees and candidates is very important to us and that interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing. As a Federally Contracted employer, MDRC is in full compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, recent changes that require vaccination of employees of federal contractors. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations, unless they have sought and received an exemption from this policy due to a disability or other medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Accommodations are granted in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Applicants must submit proof of vaccination or request and submit an applicable request for accommodation during the offer stage.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC&’s employment process due to a disability, please contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work.