We're Hiring!

Position Function:

This position will be housed in NSPARC. The primary functions of this position include conducting research and data analysis and writing reports and producing other materials current research in the fields of workforce, education, and economic development.

Salary Grade:  13

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Leads and supports research activities, including data collection, statistical analysis, data visualization, and database management for applied social science projects.
2. Conducts quantitative and qualitative data analysis related to funded and prospective research projects. This includes survey design, focus group synthesis, and the integration of administrative, proprietary, and public-use datasets.
3. Participates in research design and requirements gathering with multidisciplinary teams, contributing to methodological planning, policy analysis, and analytic strategy.
4. Drafts high-quality technical reports, policy briefs, executive summaries, and peer-reviewed materials that communicate research findings to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences, including state agency staff, policymakers, and the public.
5. Designs and delivers presentations and data narratives to support dissemination of results.
6. Contributes to project management and planning tasks, including timeline development, task coordination, and progress monitoring for assigned research initiatives.
7. Stays current on analytic methods, research trends, and best practices relevant to applied policy research in workforce and economic development.
8. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology or closely related field with 1 year of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Sociology with 3 years Related Experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Experience working with data and developing research products, including reports, policy briefs, and/or presentations in a social science or applied research setting.
2. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to present complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
3. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
4. Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., SAS or Python) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI); comfort working with large datasets.
5. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No unusual physical requirements. Requires limited lifting of files and records and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applicants should complete an online application at www.jobs.msstate.edu and upload a cover letter and current resume. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation (sent separately by authors to NSPARC) and an official transcript for the terminal degree (including an English translation if necessary).

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.