Research Specialist I in Princeton, New Jersey at Princeton University

The Bendheim-Thoman Center for Research on Child and Family Wellbeing (CRCFW) is an interdisciplinary center at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Our mission is to stimulate basic research, educate faculty and students about issues related to children's policies, and influence policymakers and practitioners at the federal, state, and local levels. CRCFW is actively seeking a Research Specialist to support the center’s qualitative research projects.

This will be a one-year term position, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance. The position is based in Princeton, NJ and will require being in the office at least 3 days a week.

• Update the Index of Deep Disadvantage (IDD) at the county, city, and tract level, by downloading all necessary data and aggregating it into an index, following previously developed protocol
• Create well-notated code allowing for future updates to the IDD
• Assist with writing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop a website to support the Index
• Assist with evaluation responses to the RFP
• Oversee the development of the IDD website, including through coordination with the website development team hired through RFP process
• Conduct outreach to stakeholders through written media, academic publications, and conversations

• Update the IDD at the county, city, and tract level, by downloading all necessary data and aggregating it into an index, following previously developed protocol
• Create well-notated code allowing for future updates to the IDD

• Assist with writing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop a website to support the Index
• Assist with evaluation responses to the RFP

• Oversee the development of the IDD website, including through coordination with the website development team hired through RFP process

• Conduct outreach to stakeholders through written media, academic publications, and conversations

ESSENTIAL Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• Candidates should have experience working with large databases (e.g., the Census) that provide data at varying geographic levels (e.g., county, tract, zip code)
• Successful candidates will have strong organizational skills and attention to detail and will be able to work independently while also knowing when to ask questions
• Candidates are required to have intermediate to advanced skills using Stata OR intermediate to advanced skills using Python, R, or SAS, or SPSS and the desire and ability to quickly learn Stata.
• Candidates should have strong academic writing skills.
• Candidates with a Bachelors’ degree will be considered if they have at least 3 years of work experience doing programming for a quantitative social science research project.

PREFERRED Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Experience, and Other Education

• Master’s degree in mathematics, statistics, sociology, social work, economics, psychology, public policy, or a related field

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.