Python Job: Researcher

Position Title: Researcher

Location: Remote/Hybrid

Reports to: Director, Institutional Accountability

About University Canada West:

University Canada West is an innovative business and technology-oriented, dynamic, and growing institution that was founded in 2005. Based in Downtown Vancouver, the university is defined by its close connections to the business community and a commitment to outstanding student services.

Here, at UCW, we connect recognized, well-established specialists and ambitious young professionals, so they learn from each other and thrive in our diverse environment. Together, we strive to create and maintain working environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

We are privileged to do this work on the unceded, traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We thank them for having cared for this land since time immemorial, honour their graciousness to the students who seek knowledge here, and iterate our dedication to valuing the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples and communities.

Primary Purpose:

University Canada West is a business-focused, independent post-secondary institution, as defined in the British Columbia Degree Authorization Act, modeled after special purpose teaching universities. Our mission is to deliver programs that provide students with the applied and theoretical basis for success in the workplace and future academic endeavors.

Reporting to the Director, Institutional Accountability, the Researcher oversees the growing internal research portfolio at University Canada West. The Researcher also acts as a subject matter specialist in the design and implementation of various research projects, providing guidance to internal teams looking to use these tools to gather insights.

Specific Responsibilities:

The main responsibility is to undertake internal applied research projects to support strategic initiatives and deliver advice and analyses through written, oral or presentation formats.

Statistical Analysis:

• Develops research plans and strategies using valid statistical/mathematical concepts, models and simulations.
• Develops instruments, tools, models and simulations that incorporate statistical, economical, and mathematical concepts, as appropriate.
• Performs or oversees the identification, creation and incorporation of data sets and/or access tables, and new sources of data.
• Determines currency, validity and feasibility, and identifies limitations in data.
• Conducts various types of analyses (i.e. trend, cost benefit, comparative, statistical, and economic) to identify impacts, potential outcomes and risks.
• Develops or reviews conclusions and recommendations and tests reliability.

Institutional Research:

• Provides advice on research methods, sampling techniques, questionnaire design, data analysis and other evaluation processes.
• Identifies and develops measures, indicators, and targets for performance management and accountability activities.
• Manages projects including developing project proposals, drafting business cases and cost benefit analyses, defining deliverables, recommending assignments of internal/external resources, developing project plans and implementing monitoring measures.
• Maintains comprehensive and accurate documentation of data sources and methodological decisions, including the logic/reasoning for the choices made about the research approach taken.
• Collaborates with other staff in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of various research projects.
• Gathers and provides comparable benchmarks (provincial or national peers) for metrics of interest.
• Acts as a subject matter expert for internal teams looking to implement internal research studies.
• Coordinates and supports UCW’s participation in regional, national or international research projects of interest.
• Represents department on internal working groups and committees and externally to relevant domain-specific communities of practice; support internal forums to disseminate findings widely.
• Maintains active membership in the wider Research community: review literature and best practices, share data and experiences and attend relevant meetings and conferences to keep abreast of latest developments in the field.

Communication:

• Consults with client(s) to identify needs and specific requirements.
• Participates in management planning sessions to formulate objectives and explore possible research projects to support programs and/or strategic goals.
• Interprets findings and effectively communicate and displays results through preparation of flow charts, presentations, fact sheets, discussion papers, briefing notes and correspondence for research, reporting, and accountability purposes.
• Defends conclusions and recommendations to stakeholders where there is conflicting information and conclusions.
• Collaborates with other staff members and leads project teams, consultants, staff and/or students in the completion of research projects or data development and analysis components including providing feedback on performance.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Mastery of quantitative and qualitative research techniques including quasi-experimental design and methodology, launching surveys and/or program evaluations, tabulating results, ensuring the validity and reliability of data collections, and compiling descriptive and inferential statistics
• Strong skills in utilizing software and programming languages used in statistics and data analysis /visualization, such as R/Shiny or Python.
• Familiarity with structured query languages such as MySQL or PostgreSQL and the application of techniques to construct queries, investigate data models within relational databases, develop point solutions involving data warehouses/ETL processes, and document procedures thoroughly
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to relay data issues in an organized and easily understandable manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a customer-service orientation, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with a keen orientation to detail and concern for accuracy, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Ability and desire to learn and use new software applications.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in statistics, mathematics, public or business administration or social science field preferred.
• Must have at least 2 years of experience with statistical analysis, ideally acquired through direct work experience in post-secondary education
• At least 2 years of experience overseeing the implementation of research projects (in an educational setting)

To apply, please include your cover letter and resume in a single document to be considered for the role. Please note applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Salary: commensurate with experience; salary range is $67,500 – 80,800.

UCW is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. Together, UCW and its staff strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We are privileged to do this work on the unceded, traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel ̱ ̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Applicants who are comfortable to self-identify are encouraged to do so within their application or cover letter.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $67,500.00-$80,800.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Vancouver, BC

Application deadline: 2023-02-15