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Community Research and Data Specialist
Position overview
Position title: Community Research and Data Specialist (Associate Rank)Application Window
Open date: February 27, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Apr 13, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Feb 26, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Institute for Social Transformation (Institute) at the University of California Santa Cruz invites applications for a Research and Data Scientist position, which will make substantial contributions to community-engaged research within Institute affiliated centers and supported faculty fellows.
The Institute is a collaborative of scholars and community leaders committed to research-based solutions addressing the most complex and urgent social and environmental challenges of our time. Our staff excel at partnering with non-academic agencies, organizations, and organizers regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Research and Data Scientist will work closely with community members, Institute staff, and affiliated academic principal investigators to develop meaningful research benefiting society's marginalized groups. Through surveys, interviews, and secondary research, this position will play a central role in establishing data sovereignty and empower research contributions that legitimize underrepresented voices.
Working under the direction of the Institute’s executive director, the successful candidate will participate in multiple research projects across the Social Sciences Division. Topics may include, but are not limited to, climate mitigation, community health, labor empowerment, solidarity economics, and research ethics.
Responsibilities will include quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis; draft papers and research reports; assist with the preparation of grant applications; and independently manage data aspects on multiple research projects. For each project, the incumbent may be expected to develop itemized scopes of work, establish research methods, track and convey the progress of research deliverables with funders, propose ideas for realigning project timelines, and collaborate with project and public leaders to communicate research outcomes through publications and community events.
The position will require the incumbent to demonstrate exceptional written and verbal communication skills; independently establish trusted partnerships with community members, faculty, staff, and students; follow - up on commitments and timelines, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines.
The successful candidate will be excellent at multitasking and extremely self-motivated; have experience working in culturally diverse settings with organizations committed to social justice and sustainability; and they will be familiar with common public data sources in key topic areas of concern including economic, labor market, environmental and public health data sets.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to reside in the Santa Cruz commute shed. While remote work is a possibility, the candidate must be willing to travel to meet with project team and community members, as needed.
Applicants with the any of the following areas of expertise are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Experience in statistical analysis of data sets (including use of SPSS, Stata, R, or similar software packages);
- Experience in qualitative coding and analysis (including use of Nvivo, Atlas.ti, Dedoose, or similar software);
- Experience in Qualtrics survey development and management;
- Knowledge of ArcGIS; experience with writing and preparing grant applications;
- Experience with presenting data findings across diverse settings; and/or
- Bilingual in Spanish and English
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
Institute for Social Transformation: https://transform.ucsc.edu/
CARB Racial Equity Inventory: https://transform.ucsc.edu/work/carb-rei/
Qualifications
- Master’s degree (or equivalent foreign degree) in statistics, urban planning, economics, public policy, education, or a related social science field.
- A minimum of two years’ work experience in research or community empowerment.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include contact information for a minimum of three professional references. The hiring unit will conduct reference checks for those applicants who are under serious consideration following the interview stage.
Cover Letter - Please describe your qualifications for and interest in this position, including relevant educational background, research experience, and professional preparation.
Writing Sample in Spanish - Please provide samples of the candidate's written work in English and/or Spanish demonstrating their professional communication skills. Links to published professional work are preferred.
(Optional)
Help contact: transform@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.
Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.
UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.
The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
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