Research Data Scientist The Research Data Scientist serves as the Center for Crime, Urban Research & Education's lead quantitative analyst, providing advanced statistical expertise to support research, evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. The position is responsible for managing complex datasets, conducting statistical analyses, developing analytical models, and translating findings into actionable insights related to crime, public safety, urban issues, and community well-being.
Duties:- Designs and conducts advanced statistical analyses using quantitative research methods, including regression, multivariate analysis, predictive modeling, and longitudinal analysis.
- Collects, cleans, validates, merges, and manages large datasets from police, criminal justice, public safety, governmental, and community sources.
- Develops statistical models, dashboards, data visualizations, and performance metrics to support research studies and program evaluations.
- Prepares technical reports, research summaries, policy briefs, and presentations that communicate findings to academic, governmental, and community audiences.
- Collaborates with faculty, researchers, students, and external stakeholders in study design, methodology development, and interpretation of findings.
- Provides statistical consultation and methodological guidance for grant-funded projects and externally sponsored research.
- Ensures data quality, integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable research and data governance requirements.
- Assists with grant proposal development, project reporting, and special initiatives supporting C-CURE's mission.
- Marginal Duties
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- KnowledgeStatistical theory and applied quantitative methods.
- Research design and program evaluation methodologies.
- Predictive analytics and forecasting techniques.
- Data management and database structures.
- Data visualization principles and reporting techniques.
- Research ethics, confidentiality, and data security practices.
- Criminal justice and public policy research concepts
- SkillsAdvanced proficiency in statistical software such as R, SAS, Stata, SPSS, Python, or equivalent analytical tools.
- Data cleaning, transformation, and validation.
- Statistical modeling and hypothesis testing.
- Data visualization using Tableau, Power BI, R, Python, or similar platforms.
- Technical writing and report preparation.
- Presentation and communication skills.
- Project management and organization
- AbilitiesApplies complex statistical techniques to real-world policy and research questions.
- Interprets and communicates technical findings to diverse audiences.
- Independently plans and executes analytical projects.
- Identifies trends, patterns, and relationships within large datasets.
- Maintains accuracy while managing multiple concurrent projects.
- Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams and external partners.
- Work Location and Physical Demands
- Primary Work Location
- Office and out in community settings
- Physical Demands
- Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements.
- Individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.
- Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
Qualifications
Required Education:
Master's degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Economics, Applied Mathematics, Quantitative Sociology, Criminology, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
Required Experience:
Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience performing statistical analysis, quantitative research, program evaluation, or applied data science.
Experience working with large and complex datasets.
Experience presenting statistical findings to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
Doctoral degree in Statistics, Data Science, Criminology, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field.
Experience analyzing criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, courts, public health, education, or urban data.
Experience supporting or participating in grant-funded research projects.
Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques.
Record of scholarly publications, technical reports, evaluation studies, or applied research products.
Experience working in a higher education institution, research institute, government agency, or similar research-focused environment.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.
