Description

Senior Research Associate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Position Description:  

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA) supports the mission of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by conducting applied research and evaluations and disseminating results to inform decision-making, planning, and continuous improvement. Our work addresses a broad range of institutional issues such as student success, academic program quality, diversity and inclusion, public engagement, employee satisfaction and productivity, resources, and administrative operations. The Senior Research Associate serves on teams of research, evaluation, and data analytics professionals who respond to questions posed by internal and external constituents. This position is also assigned to carry out projects independently, requiring resourcefulness in collecting data, advanced data analysis skills, and the ability to effectively communicate results to diverse audiences. While the Senior Research Associate will support a variety of institutional needs for information, a special area of focus for this position involves research and evaluation related to diversity and inclusion at UNC-Chapel Hill. The position will collaborate with others to assess our effectiveness in promoting a campus environment where faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds can thrive, consistent with the goals of the University’s strategic plan, Carolina Next: Innovations for Public Good. Examples of research and evaluation topics include campus climate, diversity trends, educational benefits of diversity, and strategies to reduce achievement gaps and to enhance a sense of belonging for students and employees from varied backgrounds. The Senior Research Associate will also provide direct support for the campus Chief Diversity Officer’s ad hoc reporting and analytic needs.

Education Requirements:  A master’s degree in a social science or other discipline related to the work to be performed.:  

Qualifications and Experience:  

Minimum five years of professional (post-master’s) experience conducting and managing research and evaluation projects. Experience designing and applying quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs. Advanced statistical analysis skills, including predictive modeling, using tools such as SAS, R, SPSS, or other analytic products. Experience writing queries to extract and merge data from multiple sources. Experience creating online surveys using tools such as Qualtrics or a similar product. Demonstrated ability to display results using Powerpoint and at least one data visualization/dashboard tool such as Tableau, Microsoft BI, R, SAS Visual Analytics, etc. A strong personal and professional commitment to working collaboratively to generate information that supports the University’s strategic priorities and values related to diversity and inclusion. Ability to adapt to unexpected obstacles and changes in priorities. Exceptional oral and written communication skills. A doctoral degree in social science, educational research, statistics, or other disciplines related to the work to be performed. Experience working in a higher education environment. Knowledge of research and best practices related to diversity and inclusion. Proficiency in using at least one qualitative data analytics tool.Candidates should be prepared to provide samples of research/evaluation reports, presentations, and other work products. This position does not offer the option to work remotely.

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting:  https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/198349

Equal Opportunity Employer:  The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.