The Polis Center is an applied research center at IU Indianapolis in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Polis makes data actionable for improving community health, equity, and resilience. We build and use information technology and geographically precise data across a variety of domains and sectors to identify and address our community’s most pressing challenges. We are a convener and connector, collaborating with community and academic partners to translate data and research into action. We build capacity in nonprofits, community-based organizations, government, and researchers to use these resources effectively for community good.

From inception, The Polis Center has been guided by core values that include making a difference, collaboration, developing creative solutions to real-world problems, accountability, integrity, respect, and stewardship. We offer a fun team environment. Our team is passionate about the work we do, and we love working together.
The Polis Center places great value on a positive work/life balance.

The Polis Center’s community analysis team provides research, analysis, and data visualization to community-based organizations, public agencies, local governments, researchers, and citizens so they can understand issues and develop solutions. The center seeks an experienced, senior level analyst for this position.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Provides advanced analysis of existing data and data structures and satisfies ad-hoc reporting/analysis requests.
• Serves as a first point of escalation for junior analysts.
• Provides advanced consultation to faculty and/or staff and identifies reporting needs and opportunities for analysis to drive organizational and research decisions.
• Provides advanced guidance and interpretation of complex environments and data.
• Makes recommendations and provides peer review and coaching; ensures proper documentation of data analysis efforts (data sources, reporting specifications, tools, issue/problem resolutions).
• Interacts with community and research groups to communicate and interpret results and findings.
• Defines study methodology and executes statistical analysis methods in support of community and academic research projects.
• Develops spatial and non-spatial statistical models for inferential analysis, prediction, and data visualization.
• Creates maps and data visualizations.
• Develops reports containing descriptive and analytical content for both public and academic audiences.

General Responsibilities

• Performs complex data collection, data analysis, data management, literature research, technical writing, and reporting in support of research project(s); performs quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Ensures quality control of data and reports findings to federal and other agencies.
• Consults with faculty researchers and research staff and provides input on research project evaluations and research project designs.
• Writes various technical reports, journal articles, and/or develops presentations to disseminate and share research findings.
• Performs various analyses to ensures quality assurance of research findings (data quality, reports, etc.).
• Represents the department with regard to related research and participates in professional development activities and programs.
• Mentors and/or provides guidance to students, faculty, or other staff working on research project(s) through training in related aspects of research techniques and analysis as needed; may provide daily oversight to less experienced staff or student researchers.
• Provides additional research project support as needed.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education. 

EDUCATION

Required

• Master’s degree preferably in research-oriented field such as statistics, public health/policy analysis, etc.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in spatial science, urban planning, or a social science (e.g., geography, sociology, demography, etc.).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 3 years in related field.

Preferred

• 5 years of related experience.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
• Strong knowledge and ability to apply qualitative and/or quantitative research skills.
• Familiarity with and openness to learn new qualitative and mixed methods.
• Knowledge and familiarity with various statistical software.

Preferred

• Strong quantitative analysis and statistical skills, including methodologies for regression modeling.
• Knowledge of appropriate statistical and data visualization software, such as R or Python.
• Experience with ArcGIS software, or equivalent software such as QGIS or spatial libraries in R/Python.
• Demonstrated experience in applied community research projects.

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

This position is grant funded with expected annual renewals. Renewals are contingent on the availability of grant funds.

IU Indianapolis campus.

This position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs.

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Research Data Analysis

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