Technical Research Assistant

Technical Research Assistant
Low-Wage Workers and Communities

MDRC is seeking a Technical Research Assistant to join researchers engaged in examining outcomes of a large-scale urban development/economic revitalization effort in Chicago. The new staff member will work mainly in our policy area. The position provides the successful candidate an opportunity to work as part of multidisciplinary team. Under the guidance and supervision of leading policy analysts, the Technical Research Assistant will develop and implement data management protocols and will analyze, write, and assist in the dissemination of results to policymakers, practitioners, and social scientists.

Responsibilities:

The main responsibility of this position is to collect, process, manage, and analyze a variety of quantitative data collected for community-based research. Key responsibilities include:

• Data collection and management
• SAS programming to structure data files, perform data-cleaning operations, and perform various forms of statistical analyses
• Writing technical memos documenting data processing decisions and summarizing the quality of data
• Running statistical models to identify the impacts of social programs
• Contributing technical/analytical sections to reports

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in urban planning, geography, statistics, economics, public policy, sociology, or a related field preferred
• A good understanding of quantitative research methods and experience applying quantitative methods
• Strong data management experience is highly desired
• Experience processing and analyzing neighborhood/community-relevant data - home sales, mortgage data, Census, crime records, etc.
• Knowledge of SAS
• Experience with Microsoft Office products (especially Word and Excel)
• Experience/familiarity with spatial analysis tools (ESRI GIS products preferred)
• Strong technical documentation skills
• Excellent attention to detail and interpersonal skills

The position is based in MDRC’s New York office.