Research Scientist 3

University of New Mexico•Albuquerque, NM

1d•$4,333 - $6,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Applied Research and Analysis (CARA), part of the University of New Mexico's Institute for Social Research, seeks a Research Scientist 3 to plan, lead, and conduct applied research and evaluation in criminal justice, behavioral health, and related areas of public policy. The Research Scientist 3 is a project lead. The successful candidate will design studies with partner agencies, carry them from scope of work through final report, direct the day-to-day work of junior staff, and present findings to the people who act on them. Much of our work uses administrative records from jails, courts, corrections, law enforcement, and behavioral health providers. The position calls for strong methodological judgment, the ability to learn new subject areas quickly, and a commitment to getting the numbers right. CARA provides research, evaluation, and technical assistance to local, state, and federal agencies, the courts, and nonprofit organizations. By combining current academic knowledge, rigorous social science methods, and best practices in evaluation, CARA helps policymakers understand how their decisions and programs affect the populations they serve. Our staff has expertise in crime and the criminal justice system, pretrial and jail populations, corrections, the courts, behavioral health, substance use treatment, home visiting, homelessness, and public health. We are a small, collaborative team. Staff work directly with agency partners, see their findings used in real decisions, and have opportunities to present, publish, and grow into more senior roles.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and interest in criminal justice or behavioral health policy
Demonstrated experience designing and carrying out applied social science research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, or other causal inference methods
Advanced proficiency with statistical software (SPSS and R preferred; Stata, SAS, or Python also welcome), including data management, modeling, and data visualization
Experience with large administrative datasets, including linking records across systems and working under data use agreements and IRB protocols
Experience with primary data collection, such as survey design, interviews, or focus groups
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a record of reports or publications and the ability to tailor briefings for multiple audiences

Responsibilities

Design studies and analysis plans, including experimental and quasi-experimental evaluations, in collaboration with partner agencies and center leadership
Lead projects from scope of work through final report, managing timelines, deliverables, and the day-to-day work of project staff
Serve as a primary point of contact for partner agencies and present findings to agency leadership, boards and commissions, and legislative audiences
Conduct and oversee analysis of administrative, survey, and qualitative data, using scripted and reproducible workflows
Write and review reports, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed manuscripts
Contribute to proposals, scopes of work, and budgets for new and continuing contracts and grants
Prepare and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols and data use agreements, and ensure that projects meet data security requirements for confidential records
Supervise, mentor, and review the work of junior researchers and students