Research Associate, Personnel Health Research & Data Analytics

Fors Marsh • Alexandria, VA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Fors Marsh is seeking an intelligent and motivated Researcher with a background in quantitative social science to support a portfolio of quantitative social science and data science research projects for their Personnel Health Research & Data Analysis team. This individual will work in a researcher role, providing assistance on projects focused on improving service members’ well-being, advancing data science insights, and informing policies and organizational decision making. This job is best for someone who enjoys applying innovative methods to solve challenging analytic problems, has experience working with large data sets, and thrives in a collaborative environment. This position is a contingent hire, meaning it is contingent on Fors Marsh winning an upcoming proposal. The interview process will be the same as our standard process, and the offer letter (should we decide to move forward) will serve as a letter of commitment.

Requirements

• Degree in a heavily quantitative social science (e.g., sociology, political science, psychology), data science, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• Master’s degree with 2+ years of applicable industry experience; Bachelors degree with 4+ years of applicable industry experience.
• Experience conducting quantitative research, in particular leveraging advanced statistical modeling techniques.
• Working knowledge and experience of quantitative methodologies such as multi-level modeling, data reduction techniques, and natural language processing.
• Experience working with diverse data sources, including survey, personnel, and administrative data.
• Working knowledge of survey workflows supporting population definition, sample frame construction, and feature table creation to assist in survey package and tool development (R and Python).
• Experience working in R/R Studio required.
• Experience with Databricks required.
• Experience with Python required.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to describe technical concepts and results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot barriers as they arise.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as a team member.
• Applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility criteria for access to sensitive information.
• Ability to work on-site in the Washington D.C. area 2-3 days a week.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and consent to a full background check due to our federal contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with SQL preferred.
• Experience with Gitlab preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducting exploratory data analysis, cleaning (e.g., data transformations), and analysis on large-scale data.
• Executing advanced statistical techniques such as multi-level modeling (e.g., cross-classified random effects, linear mixed effects), data reduction (e.g., PCA, factor analysis, clustering), predictive model selection (e.g., LASSO, Ridge), natural language processing, and/or machine learning techniques.
• Executing data visualization techniques and dashboard creation steps.
• Supporting all phases of the data science and social science analytics process, including the analysis and interpretation of survey research, integrating datasets (e.g., survey data integrated with administrative data), and other studies.
• Supporting and executing survey workflows focused on population specification and sample frame development, including identifying relevant data sources, cleaning, deduplication, and frame quality checks.
• Resolving problems that require general knowledge of analytic methodologies and principles, as well as the ability to learn new techniques.
• Communicating trade-offs associated with analytic approaches to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Conducting quality checks on data extracts, analyses, and deliverables.
• Working in R and Python to execute automation tasks, R package creation, data wrangling, exploratory data analysis, and executing advanced analyses.
• Working in or learning Databricks.
• Work under supervision of a Senior Team member.
• Work collaboratively with a mixed team of data and social scientists to operationalize personnel-related metrics and explore, aggregate, and analyze large, complex quantitative data sets through a variety of techniques.
• Assist with briefing clients and stakeholders under supervision from Senior Team members.
• Assist in preparing research reports/briefs for technical and non-technical audiences, and other internal or external communications summarizing research methods, findings, and implications.

Benefits

• Top-tier health, dental, vision, and long and short-term disability coverage all covered at 100% for employee coverage.
• A floating holiday bank.
• Generous matching retirement contributions and no vesting period starting the third month of employment.
• Dedicated training and development budgets.
• Paid time off for volunteering.
• Product and service discounts through the certified B Corp network.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level