Senior Researcher

University of Arkansas System

About The Position

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is an 1890 Land-Grant HBCU with a diverse student population, competitive degree offerings and stellar faculty. For more than 140 years, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has worked to create an environment that inculcates learning, growth and productivity while affording a basic need to its students – a chance to advance. The 15:1 student to teacher ratio makes it possible to maintain a learning environment with close interaction between students and faculty while challenging curricula encourage our students to seek and fulfill their potential. You can excel in your chosen field of study through a curriculum of Certificate and Associates degree programs, more than thirty Undergraduate programs, Master’s degree programs and a Doctorate program in Aquaculture/Fisheries. You can also develop workplace readiness through internships, co-ops and fellowships in the U.S. and abroad. Out-of-class experiences and student involvement include more than 90 student organizations, an internationally renowned Vesper Choir, Marching Band, Concert Bands, Wind Symphony, nationally recognized debate team, award-winning theater department and accomplished athletic program. Though the main campus is in Pine Bluff, its reach is worldwide. UAPB has an extended campus in North Little Rock and offers as well as online courses. With the addition of the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON), students can engage in information exchange with others anywhere in the world. There are also Research and Extension offices in Lonoke, Newport and Lake Village and collaborations with other colleges and universities in the State through the National Science Foundation funded STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy. As the second oldest land-grant institution in the state of Arkansas, the mission of this No Excuse University remains the same – to provide a high quality, affordable education with a personal touch. We invite you to Become a Part of the Pride at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The Senior Researcher is responsible for leading and executing the research components of a federally funded NSF project. This role provides intellectual and methodological leadership across all phases of the research lifecycle, with a particular focus on rigorous quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, and reporting. Primary duties include designing and implementing research methodologies aligned with project goals; developing data collection instruments such as surveys, interview protocols, and coding frameworks; and overseeing the systematic collection of quantitative and qualitative data from institutional, public-facing, and stakeholder sources. The Senior Researcher conducts advanced data analysis using appropriate statistical, analytical, and qualitative techniques and ensures accuracy, validity, and reliability of findings. The role includes synthesizing results across multiple data sources, interpreting findings in relation to the project’s research questions, and translating complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences, including federal agencies, institutional leaders, and external partners. The Senior Researcher is responsible for drafting and contributing to technical reports, research briefs, presentations, and scholarly publications, as well as supporting NSF-required annual and final reports. Additional responsibilities include ensuring compliance with IRB and research ethics requirements; maintaining documentation and data management protocols; coordinating research timelines and deliverables; collaborating closely with the principal investigator and project team; and providing mentorship or supervision to junior researchers, graduate students, or research assistants as appropriate.

Requirements

An earned doctoral degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., STEM, social sciences, education, data science, public policy, or a related field).
Demonstrated expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed-methods research design and analysis.
Experience conducting independent research or serving in a senior research role on federally funded or large-scale research projects.
Strong knowledge of research methodologies such as statistical analysis, content analysis, institutional analysis, survey research, interviews, and secondary data analysis.
Experience preparing research reports, grant documentation, and scholarly or technical publications.
Familiarity with federal research compliance requirements, including IRB protocols, data management plans, and ethical research practices.
Ability to manage complex datasets and maintain data accuracy, integrity, and security.
Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and coordinate across multiple stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience working collaboratively in interdisciplinary, multi-institutional, or equity-focused research environments (preferred).

Responsibilities

Leading and executing the research components of a federally funded NSF project.
Providing intellectual and methodological leadership across all phases of the research lifecycle, with a particular focus on rigorous quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Designing and implementing research methodologies aligned with project goals.
Developing data collection instruments such as surveys, interview protocols, and coding frameworks.
Overseeing the systematic collection of quantitative and qualitative data from institutional, public-facing, and stakeholder sources.
Conducting advanced data analysis using appropriate statistical, analytical, and qualitative techniques and ensures accuracy, validity, and reliability of findings.
Synthesizing results across multiple data sources, interpreting findings in relation to the project’s research questions, and translating complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences, including federal agencies, institutional leaders, and external partners.
Drafting and contributing to technical reports, research briefs, presentations, and scholarly publications, as well as supporting NSF-required annual and final reports.
Ensuring compliance with IRB and research ethics requirements.
Maintaining documentation and data management protocols.
Coordinating research timelines and deliverables.
Collaborating closely with the principal investigator and project team.
Providing mentorship or supervision to junior researchers, graduate students, or research assistants as appropriate.