Research Associate, Research Scientist, Data Scientist

Research Associate

Population Research Center

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled

Hours:

40

FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA

Earliest

Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

The Research Associate is expected to work on research projects related to higher education policy and social stratification. The projects will require experience working with state administrative data and other large‑scale education data sets, including data cleaning, merging raw data files, and a track record of producing research findings of interest to policymakers, practitioners, and academic audiences.

• Data cleaning and management
• Data analysis and research design
• Produce scholarly research, including articles, research reports, and presentations
• Project management and organization, including collaborating with the research team and directing the efforts of junior team members
• Collaborate on grant writing
• Other duties as assigned

• Ph.D. in Education, Social Sciences, or related field
• 3 years of experience working with state administrative data, including cleaning and producing derived data files from raw data files
• Research experience using a variety of statistical methods to examine effects of education policy and practices
• Strong programming skills in Stata
• Experience publishing quantitative research in education and/or social science journals

• 3+ years of experience using Texas Education Research Center data (state administrative data from Texas)
• Demonstrated expertise and/or credentials in statistics and data sciences
• Demonstrated expertise in higher education policy

• $80,000 + depending on qualifications

• Typical Office Environment
• Remote work allowable within Texas

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor; finalists will be required to provide three letters from professional references—minimum of 2 external to UT Austin—attesting to the candidate’s record of independent research
• Letter of interest
• Example Stata code (do file) for cleaning large‑scale administrative data
• Writing sample:
  Example scholarly publication, preferably published in a peer‑reviewed education or social science journal

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, including both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

The retirement plan for this position is the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. The position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

A criminal history background check will be required for final candidates under consideration for this position.

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

The University of Texas at Austin will not discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form and present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.