Senior Data Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION:  IPUMS makes the world’s largest collection of individual-level population and health survey data freely accessible online. Thousands of researchers use these data worldwide, and you can contribute to the development and enhancement of this public good. IPUMS is part of the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation (isrdi.umn.edu), which includes the Minnesota Population Center (pop.umn.edu), the Life Course Center (lcc.umn.edu), and the Minnesota Research Data Center (mnrdc.umn.edu).

We’re seeking a senior data analyst to join our diverse team of research and information technology professionals. We are looking for smart, technically-minded people who enjoy working with data. For this position, we seek someone with a strong data-driven social science or public health background who enjoys quantitative analysis and demographic methods with a focus on fertility/reproductive health and/or population-environment interactions. In this position you will support the use of Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) data in the newly developed PMA
Data Analysis Hub. The PMA surveys collect actionable data, both cross-sectional and longitudinal, on a variety of family planning topics that inform policies at national and sub-national levels.
You will develop detailed reports comparing and visualizing quantitative health data, respond to requests for data analysis, and use your critical thinking skills as they relate to data science for application to questions of health and development. A portion of your time will also be focused on project coordination for a number of smaller data analysis projects which includes tasks like organizing data across multiple quantitative data projects, scheduling activities, organizing timelines and deliverables for projects from multiple funding agencies, and coordination of team research
activities.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of our organization. We aspire to create a team that represents the diversity of our city, our region, and our world, and to create a space that encourages and embraces inclusiveness, equal opportunity, and respect. We strongly encourage women and members of under-represented groups to apply. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of data processing and dissemination methods, and there is considerable opportunity for initiative and creativity for all members of the team.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Your primary focus will be producing publications and online white papers using and applying PMA data for science and policy. You will also spend time coordinating related analysis projects, as described below. Most of this research will employ data from countries in sub-Saharan Africa. For all of these tasks, you will work with the project lead and/or other
research staff.

• Research and/or analysis projects (50%): You will prepare monthly comparative research reports and respond to requests for analysis. This work involves, summarizing, mapping/visualizing and analyzing data across time periods and over countries to create visually-appealing reports, which will be made available on the Internet. You will also respond to data analysis requests from the PMA data funder, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Data management and code sharing (30%): For all projects, you will manage and organize quantitative data. For PMA project, you will document the statistical program code used to organize and analyze the data and share this code on Github. Documentation will include training materials so that the data are widely accessible for researchers of all experience levels.
• Project coordination (20%): You will assist principal investigator in monitoring project deliverables and timelines for several smaller data analysis projects. This will include communicating across multiple project teams and coordinate schedules with students and postdoctoral researchers. You will also work closely with the principal investigator to manage communications for several different data analysis projects.

QUALIFICATIONS (Required Qualifications):

• A master’s degree in an applied data science/analysis or quantitative social science/public health field like geography, epidemiology, biostatistics, sociology, economics, or other related discipline
• One year of relevant experience
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills with audiences from various disciplines, communities and cultures.
• Experience using data management/sharing tools to facilitate team work
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.
• Higher level data manipulation skills (including documenting and organizing data and code) and experience analyzing and visualizing complex data that vary over space and time using R, or Python, and other statistical software.
• Field experience, familiarity, or interest in Africa
• Additional selection criteria include: Familiarity and interest in social science or health data

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Please apply using the University of Minnesota’s online employment system humanresources.umn.edu/jobs and search job opening ID 337359. Application requirements include a resume, and a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications in the position. Questions concerning the application process may be addressed to Mia Riza, HR &
Operations Manager, at isrdi-jobs@umn.edu. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Applications will be reviewed beginning mid-September with an anticipated start date of Fall 2020.