Job description
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Job Posting Title
Research Associate/Data Analyst
Job Description Summary
Admin Non-Exempt
Job Description
The Research Associate/Data Analyst will primarily provide analytical support to the Director of the Youth, Media, and Wellbeing Research Lab (YMW) at the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW), Wellesley College. Our research involves quantitative and qualitative studies of adolescent and young adult social media and televised media use, socioemotional health, physical health, peer and romantic relationships, digital citizenship, election attitudes, and civic engagement. We are committed to an intersectional identity approach, exploring questions of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc. We use a variety of methods to collect data in schools and community organizations, as well as through online platforms. We collect surveys, conduct interviews and focus groups, and social media content data of adolescents and young adults. Since 2013, we have collected multiple waves of cross-sectional survey data from over 25 countries related to gender equity and election attitudes from over 5000 individuals. Our recent NIH grant about adolescent social technology use amassed 5 waves of survey data from over 1500 middle and high school students in the Northeast. Locally, we also evaluate a summer workshop each year with approximately 25 youth using pre-/post-surveys. Another line of research that our lab conducts is the role of pets in adolescent development and technology use, which is a collaboration with Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
The Research Data Analyst works collaboratively with our Project Coordinator, YMW Research Lab members, and with a doctoral-level statistical consultant, under the general direction of the Director. This RA’s primary role will be as the lab’s Quantitative Data Manager, which will involve co-developing recruitment and data collection procedures; creating, launching, and pilot testing Qualtrics surveys; data management (e.g., cleaning, confidential storage and documentation of identifiable data); and mentoring Wellesley College students on a variety of data analysis projects. Our quantitative data analysis will involve cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys, the latter which will require careful matching of participants from wave to wave. Data analysis may include recoding of variables, conducting reliability and validity statistics of study measures, quantifying qualitative data, and visualizing findings for academic presentations. The Data Analyst will maintain a library of relevant measures for past, current, and future studies. For grant proposals and funder reporting, the Data Analyst will prepare and summarize preliminary findings for the specific topic, including charts and tables depicting key highlights/insights using SPSS, Excel, Tableau, or similar programs. For manuscripts, the Data Analyst will draft and revise the Methods and Results section as needed.
In addition to the data analysis, the Research Associate will also provide administrative, logistical, and technical support as needed. Depending on the prior experiences and expertise of the candidate, these tasks may include collaborating with the Project Coordinator, Communications, and Technology teams to assist with quantitative and qualitative data collection, generating study content for website, creating infographics for the lab and WCW social media accounts, copyediting/formatting of manuscripts into the journal style (e.g., APA, AMA), and/or assisting with Institutional Review Board applications. Opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at local and national conferences are available. Because this is a liberal arts teaching/learning lab, the data analyst will also work with multiple Wellesley College student research assistants.
This position is a grant-funded, 60% (21.0 hours/week) position with full benefits. Desired schedule would be part-time 3-4 days a week to be negotiated between 9-6pm. This is a term position for 3 years but may be extended beyond that date. Possibility of increasing time up to 80% (28 hours) during temporary peak grant periods, depending on availability and funding.
Experience Required
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Candidates must have a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years experience in a social science research setting.
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Fluency in SPSS and/or R.
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Familiarity with survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics).
Skills/Abilities/Competencies:
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Positive outlook and enthusiasm for the research mission– enjoys working on a team with diverse people with various project roles (students, methodologists, research scientists at WCW, colleagues and postdocs at other institutions, consultants, pet lovers, etc.)
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Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of cross-functional teams, including the ability to work effectively both remotely and in person.
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Excellent interpersonal skills, patience, and openness to constructive feedback
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Good written communication skills (e.g., email correspondence, academic writing) and careful attention to detail
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Ability to multitask, use good judgment to prioritize and follow through on work assignments
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Proactive creative problem solver
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Excellent organizational and time management skills
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Flexibility and intellectual curiosity to work on multiple, varying, fast-paced projects
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High degree of computer and internet literacy (e.g., Word, Excel, Google Docs, PowerPoint, social media)
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Experience with manuscript preparation, foundation and federal grant applications, and recruitment of study participants preferred
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Familiarity with academic reference formatting (e.g. APA, AMA, etc.)
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Knowledge of protection of human subjects in behavioral research (or motivated to learn)
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Experience with mixed methods and/or qualitative methods and NVivo a plus
Other
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Available to work occasional nights and weekends as required to support grant deadlines or special events.
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This is a flexible hybrid position. Schedule will depend on project needs and be decided on with the Director.
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The Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) is an academic research and action institute at Wellesley College that is focused on women and gender and driven by social change. The mission of WCW is to advance gender equality, social justice, and human wellbeing through high-quality research, theory, and action programs. As such, we encourage our employees to practice a good work/life balance.
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All employees hired after August 2, 2021 are required to upload proof of vaccination against COVID-19, subject to approved medical or religious exemptions or disability accommodations.
Wellesley College offers a wide variety of benefits programs and resources to its employees, including:
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Generous paid time off
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Following one year of employment, Wellesley College will contribute up to 10.5% towards your 403B plan for eligible employees
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Resources to navigate student loan forgiveness
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Free use of the athletic/fitness facilities, including onsite fitness classes
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Free on-site parking in an enclosed parking garage
Worker Sub-Type
Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Time Type
Part time
EEO Statement
At Wellesley, we embrace and honor difference and diversity. We believe the best ideas—the best solutions—draw on a range of voices, perspectives, and experiences. As a college, and as a community, we are dedicated to assuring that all members for the Wellesley community have an equal opportunity to flourish.
Wellesley College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to increasing the diversity of the college community and the curriculum. Wellesley College and all its subcontractors shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60–1.4(a), 60–300.5(a) and 60–741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that Wellesley College and all of its subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status. Candidates who believe they can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply.
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