Senior Research Specialist

University of Virginia • Charlottesville, VA

87d • $75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Demographics Research Group (DRG) of the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service is seeking a bright and self-driven individual to fill a Research Specialist position. We produce Virginia's official population estimates, projections, school enrollment forecasts, and conduct applied demographic research to inform decision-making across state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofits. We are committed to making population data accessible, meaningful, and actionable.

Requirements

• Education: Master's degree required, degree in geography, demography, sociology, economics, statistics, education, urban planning, public health, public policy, or related areas is preferred

Nice To Haves

• Experience: 5 years
• Professional experience in a similar role
• Experience in population estimates, projections, or school enrollment forecasting
• Proficiency in GIS
• Interest and skill in data visualization
• Familiarity with the Commonwealth of Virginia

Responsibilities

• Focus on applied demographic research pertinent to the Commonwealth of Virginia to develop significant projects consistent with client needs
• Formulate research questions and methods
• Implement appropriate research and analytic procedures
• Publish research analyses in the DRG blog and in technical papers
• Develop and deliver presentations to clients, government officials, and the public
• Collaborate with the Cooper Center director of communications on media interactions
• Collaborate with colleagues on all DRG priorities
• Participate in the DRG data production and team projects
• Contribute to outreach and communications strategies
• Supervise student interns
• Thrive in a collaborative environment among people strongly committed to their missions
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, including sharing updates and results with the Director, primarily via email
• Demonstrate professional maturity, sound judgment, and a consistently positive demeanor
• Keen attention to detail with excellent organizational, writing, editing, planning, and prioritization skills
• Ability to adjust priorities and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines, track progress, and communicate task status
• Work calmly and professionally, especially during those occasional times when the team finds itself in pressure situations
• Work independently to creatively solve problems within a fast-paced environment
• Uphold ethical standards and maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment and discretion
• Demonstrated skill in quantitative analysis
• Interest in, and commitment to, population research, in areas such as population estimates and projections, aging, housing, transportation, rural communities, urban planning, education, or poverty
• Proficiency in one or more the following statistical software programs: R, Python, STATA, or SAS

Benefits

• The anticipated hiring range is $75,000 - $85,000 commensurate with education and experience
• This is an exempt-level, benefited position
• Hybrid and remote location work is possible; candidate must be available to work in Eastern Time Zone

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Master's degree