Research Associate III - IC² Institute

Job Posting Title:

Research Associate III - IC² Institute

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Hiring Department:

IC2 Institute

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2026

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

This position is needed to support quantitative research initiatives at the Bureau of Business Research (BBR) at the IC² Institute. The research associate will work on projects involving the collection, analysis, and modeling of quantitative data. They will contribute to the development of statistical models, manage large datasets, and assist with the preparation of reports and research deliverables. This position will offer hands-on experience in data analysis, statistical programming, AI/ML, agent-based modeling, and project management.

This is a temporary benefits eligible Social Science/Humanities Research Associate III position ending on August 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on performance, business need, and funding availability.

Purpose

Under the direction of the BBR Director, the employee will work on several research programs in the Bureau of Business Research at IC² Institute on the UT Austin campus. 

Responsibilities

• Data Collection and Analysis: Participate in compiling, administering, processing, analyzing, and verifying survey data, large databases, and other quantitative project data. Coordinate with the PI and team members to ensure accurate and timely data collection and storage. Follow confidentiality rules and human subject protocols.

• Model Development, Programming, Testing, Maintenance, and Deployment: Contribute to ML/AI, ABM, and other computational modeling activities.  Create and document computational workflows, develop and test models, and prepare model outputs for dissemination via publication and dashboards.

• Project Coordination and Support: Assist in organizing and maintaining research materials, service agreements, payments, and preparation of grant reporting materials. Ensure smooth project operations, providing support and guidance to other project personnel as needed. Contribute to the preparation of written reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations based on research findings. Assist with the creation and submission of IRB proposals and other research documentation.

• Other Duties: Perform other tasks as required to support the research project.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree, preferably in fields related to electrical and computer engineering, information systems, operations research, management science, or quantitative social science with at least two years of experience.

• Strong writing skills.

• Demonstrated interest and background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, agent-based modeling, spatial data, and network data.

• Proficient in R, Python, Julia or other data science focused programming

• Experience with relational databases and SQL programming

• Experience in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with Overleaf and Zotero for scientific and mathematical writing

• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

• Experience managing multiple projects and the ability to handle competing deadlines.

• Project management experience.

• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with varied teams, including faculty, researchers, and external stakeholders.

• Willingness to perform a variety of duties and keep track of work for reporting to supervisors on progress.

• Ability to work optimally and independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Ideal candidates are driven, self-starters with the ability to grasp complex subject matter quickly and work well within teams.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous work experience in industry as an engineer or programmer

• Previous experience in academia and a member of a research team

• Previous experience conducting academic research on complex sociological systems.

• Previous experience contributing to academic papers prepared for peer review.

• Previous experience with methodologies for synthetic data generation

• Previous experience with NIH All of Us Research Program data.

• Previous experience with MESA 3.0, networkx, matplotlib, and pandas

• Previous experience with creating and maintaining GitHub repositories

• Experience with SPSS syntax programming.

• Experience with spatial data wrangling, analysis, and modelling of large datasets.

• Knowledge of spatial data analysis and tools such as ArcGIS.

• Experience with project management or coordination.

• Experience preparing IRB proposals. Familiarity with the process of submitting IRB applications for research involving human subjects is an asset.

Salary

$55,809

Working Conditions

• Typical office environment

Work Shift

• M-F, 8 am - 5 pm

• This position may be considered for hybrid work arrangements (remote & on-campus)

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.