Research Professional 1-Social Science Multidisciplinary
About the Job
Summary of Position:
Working with faculty and staff in the Department of Biology Teaching & Learning, the successful candidate for this Data and Research Support position will contribute to data projects focused on undergraduate education outcomes. This position manages and analyzes data from departmental surveys, knowledge assessments, and the university’s data warehouse to assess student outcomes. Work will be done remotely and in person on the Minneapolis campus.
Essential and Other Functions:
25% Manage departmental surveys including recruitment, administration, and overall coordination
20% Clean, organize, and store departmental data while keeping detailed records of data processing
20% Perform descriptive statistical data analysis on survey and knowledge assessment responses, student demographics, and student outcomes. Create charts, graphs, and tables for internal and external reports and presentations
20% Create and maintain standard assessment procedures and protocols for data collection, management, and analysis; ensure data security and confidentiality. Prepare research datasets and codebooks as directed by departmental staff and faculty.
5% Mentor and support undergraduate members of the Data and Research Support team; participate in the evaluation and hiring of new undergraduate team members
5% Work to promote Data and Research Support to the department and the wider college community
5% Work with the communications team to promote surveys to the student population
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
BA/BS or a combination of related education or work experience to equal four years
Experience with the R programming language
Experience cleaning and wrangling large datasets
Experience preparing charts, graphs, tables, and presentations
Preferred Qualifications:
BA/BS in a science or social science field (computer science, statistics, psychology, sociology, biology, etc.)
One year of related work experience such as working with large data sets to measure outcomes
Experience creating and managing databases
Experience with survey software (e.g., Qualtrics)
Experience with Structured Query Language (SQL) or similar programming language
Experience building data dashboards (e.g., Tableau Dashboards)
Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple competing priorities, be highly productive, and meet deadlines
Demonstrated excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills including meticulous attention to detail
Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills including communicating with a variety of audiences
Demonstrated ability to work in a confidential environment
Experience in a higher education environment working with faculty, staff and/or students, especially in biology and/or educational psychology or related fields
Experience with University of Minnesota reporting mechanisms (Reporting Center, Data Warehouse, PeopleSoft)
About the Department
About the Department
The University of Minnesota has a national reputation in biology teaching and educational research. To build on existing strengths, the Department of Biology Teaching and Learning was created in July 2014 as a partnership between the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Education and Human Development. The mission of our department is to discover, apply and share research-based strategies that transform biology education. With strengths in both biological and pedagogical research, the Department of Biology Teaching and Learning strives to be part of a tradition of excellence. Through our ongoing research, our department members contribute to the growing understanding of how students learn; through their teaching and outreach, we model the implementation of evidence-based educational research; and through our mentoring of graduate students and colleagues, we will help build a strong community of teaching scholars of national reputation.
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $48,000 - $52,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment
Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
- Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
- Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- University HSA contributions
- Disability and employer-paid life insurance
- Employee wellbeing program
- Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
- Financial counseling services
- Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
- Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
How To Apply
Application Process:
Application review will begin November 27, 2024, with Zoom interviews in mid-December. Application materials need to be submitted online in PDF format with the applicant’s last name in the PDF title; applications cannot be considered until all of the following materials have been uploaded:
Resume/CV
Cover letter highlighting qualifications relevant to job requirements including an explanation of how the applicant meets the required (and desirable, if appropriate) qualifications of the position
Diversity
Diversity Statement
The Department of Biology Teaching and Learning values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion along all axes of identity (race, gender, orientation, disability, etc.). We seek colleagues who share this value and can add to our expertise in these areas to join us and the work we are doing. The Department’s full DEI statement is available at: https://cbs.umn.edu/academics/departments/btl/about-btl/dei
Employment Requirements
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.
About the U of M
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).