The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) is conducting state-level evaluations of literacy initiatives as well as federally funded research to identify effective literacy instructional practices and improve the determination of students’ literacy outcomes. The research data technician will work under the supervision of the lead statistician to support the collection, organization, cleaning, and quality control checking of data.

We are seeking a temporary Research Data Technician to support the TRRC’s state-level evaluations of literacy initiatives and federally funded research. Working under the supervision of the lead statistician, this position will support core research functions by using Excel to perform data management tasks as well as writing code in R and, at times, Python to assist with cleaning, concatenating, and preparing datasets. Responsibilities include generating CSV files, formatted Excel spreadsheets, and log files; producing descriptive statistics and formatted data tables in R; transferring data across platforms such as SQL databases and data repositories; and coordinating with data team members to conduct quality control checks. The technician also will support data documentation and open science efforts by maintaining accurate records of data processes, assisting in the development of codebooks and data dictionaries, and ensuring adherence to all data protocols and security requirements.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma
• 2 years of experience working with data that are not related to business analytics
• Skills at importing and exporting files between software programs.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software and continually acquire new competencies.
• Ability to verify and check data thoroughly for accuracy and completeness
• Ability to create clear, accurate representations of data.
• Skills in using data management software.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to work across multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to accept direction in prioritizing, problem solving, and organizing tasks to meet deadlines and follow through on assignments.
• Ability to effectively communicate with team members both verbally and in writing.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, or a related field prior to the first day of employment.
• Experience using R packages and/or writing code in programming languages.
• Knowledge of different programming languages (e.g., Python, C++, and Java Script)
• Ability to use R statistical packages
• Knowledge of preK-12 educational data

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR03

• Anticipated hiring range: $30,000-$31,000 ($14.42-$14.90 per hour)
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) is conducting state-level evaluations of literacy initiatives as well as federally funded research to identify effective literacy instructional practices and improve the determination of students’ literacy outcomes. The projects are led by Professor and Director Dr. Deborah K Reed. The TRRC works with a dynamic team of professional and student staff as well as external collaborators from other universities, state education agencies, and school districts.

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK

Support research functions by:

• Using Excel to perform basic data management tasks
• Writing code in R and, at times, Python, to assist the data engineer in cleaning and concatenating data
• Using R for preparing descriptive statistics of the data
• Generating CSV files, formatted Excel spreadsheets, and log files.
• Formatting and exporting data tables in R.
• Transferring data between different locations (such as SQL databases, data repositories, etc.) and file types.
• Coordinating with other data team members on quality control checking datasets.

Support the data documentation process and open science framework by:

• Keeping accurate and timely records about the data collection, cleaning, and preparation processes.
• Assisting the data engineer with creating code books, data dictionaries, and other supporting documents to explain the data and generation of the files.
• Maintaining adherence to all data protocols and requirements for data security.