Evans School Research Assistant Positions

*********This position comes with a tuition waiver*****



The Evans School is looking for two Research Assistants to work during summer quarter. The research assistants will work 35 hours a week during the summer, with potential to continue during the school year at 20 hours a week, providing research and data analysis support for the Community Vitality Project. The project examines community vitality within a framework of community- and individual-asset-based development, poverty reduction, and economic development within the 8 states upon which the Northwest Area Foundation focuses its philanthropy: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. The goal of the project is to identify the policy levers that are most likely to positively influence progress on poverty reduction and community development. The project seeks a research assistant to collect additional data, conduct analyses of existing data, and assist an interdisciplinary team in the preparation of reports to the foundation and papers for publication. Specifically, the RA’s duties will include:

• Identify and collect county and state level policy data, and other data as needed (from secondary sources);
• Conduct analyses of community level factors that influence poverty;
• Prepare analytic reports as requested by the Northwest Area Foundation;
• Conduct literature reviews and draft papers for publication;
• Support the project with other tasks, as needed;

The position begins Summer Quarter 2010 and, depending on satisfactory performance evaluation, is extendable through the 2010-2011 academic year.
Requirements:
• Currently registered UW graduate student in public affairs, sociology, economics, geography, social work, statistics, computer science, or other discipline, with demonstrated experience in data analysis
• Demonstrated interest in poverty reduction and/or community development
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (writing sample requested)
• The name of a faculty member or project leader to contact for a reference

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Desired:
Experience in one or more of the following desirable:
• Data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA, SAS or R
• Large-scale database development and software (e.g. MySQL)
• Design of web-based interfaces
• Managing large datasets, such as census, BLS or comparable
• GIS and mapping software
• Website design
• Collecting and analyzing qualitative data
Condition of Employment:
• Currently registered UW graduate student

A satisfactory outcome from a criminal background verification may be required prior to hire.

Terms

Salary:
Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with academic standing, qualifications, and experience. Summer quarter includes a tuition waiver for enrolled students but applicants are not required to enroll for classes during summer quarter to be eligible for this position. The salary schedule may be found Graduate Student Salary Schedule. 20 hours/week is eligible for a tuition waiver and Graduate Appointee health insurance.

This job classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit: UW/UAW Contract Preamble.

How to Apply:
Please do not apply online.
Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and reference to:

Rachel Kleit, Associate Professor
Evans School of Public Affairs,
University of Washington
209C Parrington Hall
Box 353055
Seattle, WA 98195-3055

Materials may be sent in hard form or emailed to kleit@u.washington.edu.

Application inquiries may be made with:

Rachel Kleit, Associate Professor
Evans School of Public Affairs
University of Washington
209C Parrington Hall
Box 353055
Seattle, WA 98195-3055

Or

Jane Cover, Research Associate
Evans School of Public Affairs,
University of Washington
406 Parrington Hall
Box 353055
Seattle, WA 98195-3055

Notifications will be made by May 7, 2010