Research Engagement Specialist

The Research Engagement Specialist will combine deep knowledge of data and their own data analysis experience to bring to bear on a variety of user support initiatives. This includes managing IPUMS User Support as well as providing targeted support to data users across ISRDI initiatives. This is an ideal position for someone who enjoys splitting their time between efficiently dispatching discrete tasks and making steady progress on medium- and long-term projects. The scope and urgency of these ongoing projects will be directly informed by smaller, daily tasks as well as their own experience using data for social science research.
Through active monitoring of the IPUMS User Forum and IPUMS User Support inbox, this person will be responsible for (1) executing and revising processes for triaging and responding to incoming requests, (2) escalating issues and summarizing feedback to IPUMS product teams, and (3) directly responding to user queries in coordination with other user support staff. Based on their direct interactions with users, and in collaboration with the IPUMS User Engagement Manager and other IPUMS research staff, the Research Engagement Specialist will develop, update, and maintain user-facing training and reference materials. This includes, but is not limited to video tutorials, data training exercises, blogs, and user notes. They may analyze data or contribute to writing manuscripts in response to specific data quality issues or as part of advancing deliverables in IPUMS grants. They may extend their expertise in creating and reviewing user-facing training materials and technical documentation to non-IPUMS resources that have been developed by or in collaboration with external collaborators. In addition to asynchronous support, the Research Engagement Specialist will connect with data users directly via synchronous virtual and in-person activities, such as hosting virtual office hours, providing technical support and IPUMS subject matter expertise during webinars, and staffing exhibit hall booths at academic conferences and similar events. Following the launch of the IPUMS Alliance, this person will also be part of the team providing user engagement services to IPUMS Alliance member institutions, such as presenting webinars and hosting virtual office hours.

This is a temporary two-year appointment with the possibility of continuing based on continued funding and satisfactory performance.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

• IPUMS User Support Inbox (50%): daily monitoring of the IPUMS User Support inbox; efficiently triaging and escalating issues as needed; supervising, supporting, and onboarding user support staff; revising protocols to reflect emerging and persistent issues; summarizing user queries to share with IPUMS data teams and collaborating with those teams to help them appropriately prioritize incoming user support requests
• Create and Review Technical Documentation (35%): writing and revising user-facing materials including any relevant data analysis; writing blogs, working papers, journal manuscripts, user notes; creating and reviewing data training exercises, video tutorials; reviewing and revising technical assistance documentation developed by or in cooperation with external collaborators
• Staff and Support Synchronous Outreach Activities (10%): staffing the main room for IPUMS virtual office hours and exhibit hall booths at academic conferences, provide technical and Q&A assistance during IPUMS webinars, create and present webinars
• Other duties as assigned (5%)

Travel Requirements: Travel to 2-4 academic conferences or similar events annually.

Flexible Work Profile: This is a hybrid position. The successful candidate is expected to be in the office one day per week.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience OR masters degree plus at least two years of relevant experience OR a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least eight years
• Experience working with IPUMS data
• 2+ years of experience working with statistical software package
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience effectively communicating updates on time-sensitive tasks with teams/supervisors
• Experience working on projects or in environments that require excellent organization skills and the ability to manage multiple streams of work
• Approaches new or unfamiliar areas with curiosity and enjoys learning new skills and/or about new topics
• Experience/ability to synthesize complex information into accessible formats
• Ability to work independently, including scoping problems and outlining solutions for review/discussion before implementation
• Ability to bring a researcher/end-data user perspective to the documentation of large population datasets

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with other large-scale census or survey data
• Teaching experience
• Experience with technical writing (e.g., technical documentation about data or statistical methods, or research manuscripts) , priority given to writing based on analysis of IPUMS data
• Knowledge of relevant subject matter (demography, health, economics, aging, maternal and child health)
• A master's degree or equivalent years of experience in a related field

IPUMS makes the world's largest collection of population and health survey data freely accessible online. Hundreds of thousands of researchers worldwide use these data, and you can contribute to developing and enhancing this public good.

The Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation is an interdisciplinary research institute that provides the infrastructure and services to support the work of its four centers: IPUMS, the Minnesota Population Center, the Life Course Center, and the Minnesota Research Data Center. The work of the Institute and its centers advances our knowledge of societies and populations across time and space, including economic and demographic behavior, health, well-being, and human-environment interactions.

Pay Range: $34.14-37.76 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.