Research Associate

Announcement

Details

Open Date 08/10/2026 Requisition Number PRN45878B Job Title Research Associate Working Title Demographic Data Analyst Career Progression Track A00 Track Level FLSA Code Professional Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

This is not a remote position.

VP Area Academic Affairs Department 01599 - The Policy Institute Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $55,000-$75,000 Close Date 08/24/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) Job Summary

The University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute is seeking a demographic data analyst. This individual will play a critical role in the daily operations and future growth of this area.

This position will primarily provide technical support for Utah's subcounty (city and small area) annual population estimates program. This includes gathering demographic, housing, and construction data from internal and external resources, incorporating knowledge of local context and conditions, geocoding and analysis with GIS software, implementing existing demographic models with programming scripts, and assisting with a local review process. The successful candidate will be able to research and troubleshoot when data, assumptions, or models require adjusting.

Additionally, the demographic analyst will work with other team members to create original content that summarizes demographic findings with written reports, data visualizations, and other duties as assigned. They will accurately communicate verbally and in writing to technical and non-technical audiences.

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute subscribes to five committable core values. We call them committable values because we make serious personnel and project decisions based on these values. We call them core because we integrate them into everything we do. They are internal values, but are reflected externally in the products and services we provide to the community. Taken together, our committable core values define who we are, how we conduct ourselves, and what comprises our work culture.

• Responsibility to the community - The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute exists to serve Utah and help our state prosper. While we make a contribution to regional, national and international public policy issues, we focus on assisting communities of interest within our state make informed decisions.
• Research integrity and relevance - The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute adheres to ethical principles and professional standards essential for responsible research. We value independent, relevant, meaningful, and understandable work.
• Accountability - The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute holds employees responsible for being continually productive in the work setting, being fiscally responsible, and delivering high quality products and services to the community, university, Eccles School, donors, and clients.
• Collaboration - The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute actively partners with people and organizations on campus and in the community to achieve our vision and mission. We believe teamwork among our staff will provide the best research and foster success.
• Positive and passionate - The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute employs people who are deeply committed to their craft and contribute to a positive and respectful work environment. We seek a congenial workplace where individual differences are both respected and celebrated, and we have fun along the way.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for technical support of subcounty population estimates program.
• Acquires, compiles, and analyzes data from a variety of sources.
• Supports the research efforts of the demography team.
• Utilizes analysis, writing, and visualization skills to produce demography team products.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work on multiple projects at a time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalency) in in demography, sociology, economics or related field and 1-2 years of relevant experience (one year of graduate education is equivalent to two years of experience).
• Experience with data and data analysis in programs such as R, SAS, Stata, Python, or Tableau.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and GIS products.
• Experience with demographic concepts and population data.
• Knowledge of U.S. Census Bureau data and products.
• Content knowledge in social sciences.
• Experience with databases.
• Ability to effectively communicate findings to researchers and stakeholders.

Preferences Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents