JOB TITLE: JUNIOR RESEARCH ANALYST
LOCATION: CORPORATE-WASHINGTON, DC
REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
FLSA: EXEMPT
SUMMARY: The Junior Research Analyst gathers and analyzes data to provide strategic insights into public attitudes on higher education issues. Responsibilities include assisting in survey research processes such as design, execution, analysis, and presentation. The Junior Research Analyst will facilitate survey projects, collaborate with stakeholders and vendors, draft survey instruments, and manage data processing systems. They will also develop data visualizations and integrate research data into AAU’s advocacy efforts.
Reporting directly to the Director of Research and working alongside the research team, the Junior Research Analyst will draft communications on research findings, monitor and implement methodological trends, and contribute to methodological decisions. They will deliver presentations to various audiences and assist in maintaining research timelines and project schedules.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: Other duties may be assigned.
- Facilitate survey research projects and collaborations with campus stakeholders and applicable external vendors.
- Support the drafting process of survey instruments and other research products.
- Liaise with data vendors and field houses during the programming and fielding processes.
- Establish and execute replicable data processing systems to tabulate, clean, weight, and create data deliverables.
- Support the process of creating analysis deliverables from data deliverables, including briefs, decks, and memoranda.
- Develop high quality data visualizations, communicating data and findings cleanly, effectively, and efficiently.
- Collaborate with colleagues to integrate survey research data into AAU’s advocacy and communication efforts.
- Draft emails, strategic memos, and communications on research findings as well as overalltrends within the higher education and research communities that are succinct, clear, and present proper grammar.
- Monitor methodological trends in the survey research industry, testing and implementing them in AAU’s survey research program as necessary.
- Take a role in methodological decisions, including weighting, in the survey research program.
- Deliver presentations and briefings on findings alongside senior staff to internal and external audiences.
- Assist in maintaining research timelines, project schedules, question trackers, data repositories, and helping senior staff with the logistical operations of the research program.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
- Has a methodological understanding and enthusiasm for public opinion research and political polling.
- Has experience working with quantitative data and familiarity with the elements of the research process.
- Has strong analytical skills and familiarity adapting data into key findings and strategic recommendations.
- Has proven writing abilities and communication skills, including with non-technical audiences.
- Able to independently apply own judgement, initiative, and resourcefulness to problems.
- Able to manage competing demands, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and adjust to changes.
- Able to work both alone and as a member of a team.
- Trustworthiness with sensitive information.
- Supportive of an environment that fosters teamwork, cooperation, respect, and appreciation for diversity.
- Upholds AAU’s organizational values.
- Works with integrity and ethically; must follow AAU's policies and procedures.
- Is intellectually curious, organized, timely, communicative, and reliable.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have an advanced level in Microsoft Office suite, including analyzing data and using formulas in Excel, drafting documents in Word, and creating PowerPoint presentations.
- Has experience working with surveys and analyzing survey data is desired, including knowledge of statistical software packages (R, SPSS, STATA, etc.).
- Has proven data visualization skills.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:
B.A or B.S. degree. 0-2 years of research and/or data analysis experience at a university, communications agency, nonprofit, political campaign, or corporate entity. Experience working with survey research, data science, and/or analytics is strongly preferred. Experience working in higher education or at a research university is also a plus.
TRAVEL. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some evening, out-of-the-area, and overnight travel may be expected.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY.This position has no supervisory responsibilities. However, this position is expected to coordinate efforts with key personnel in the department and the Association to achieve the position’s purpose.
LOCATION/WORK ENVIRONMENT.This position operates primarily out of AAU’s DC office but supports a professional hybrid office environment where eligible staff may telework up to 2 days a week after completing their initial 90 days of employment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptops, docking stations, phones, and photocopiers.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information as well as be physically present in the Washington, DC office and on-site at AAU and other locations for meetings/events.
This is largely a stationary position; however, the employee is required to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery and equipment, such as a copy machine, a computer printer, filing cabinets, etc. Some filing is required; this requires the ability to move files up to 20lbs across the office for various needs.
POSITION TYPE.This is a full-time position. The exemption status of this position is exempt. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
OTHER DUTIES.Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
DISCLAIMER.This job description is not to be construed in a manner which implies an employee’s right to employment. This job description is not a contract of employment, expressed or implied, nor is it an offer to enter into such a contract or guarantee of employment for any duration.
MUST BE CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER IN THE UNITED STATES, AND MUST BE ABLE TO WORK IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA.