Lab Overview
The Prison Education Action Research Lab (PEARL) at the College of Education at the University of Utah is the nation’s first center dedicated to advancing research, data, and leadership in postsecondary education in prison. Funded by an $8 million award from Ascendium Education Group, PEARL leverages evidence-based research to change systems and reduce barriers to postsecondary education for people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. PEARL’s anchor project, the Prison Education Research Initiative (PERI), is a first-of-its-kind multi-institutional longitudinal study spanning 22+ partner colleges and universities nationwide.
Mission
PEARL does research that advances educational justice for people and communities impacted by incarceration.
Position Summary
The Research Data Analyst will lead the secure acquisition, organization, documentation, preparation, integration, and analysis of complex multi-site administrative and research datasets for PEARL’s national longitudinal study, with particular responsibility for multi-institution data management, relational database development, and related data infrastructure.
This position is ideal for a highly skilled quantitative data professional who thrives in a collaborative research environment and enjoys transforming raw data into accurate, well-documented, analysis-ready files and reproducible outputs.
Working closely with Principal Investigators, institutional partners, and research staff, the Research Data Analyst will oversee data workflows that include raw and inconsistently structured administrative corrections, education, employment, and survey data from multiple institutions, agencies, external organizations, and time periods. The successful candidate will build efficient, secure systems for data cleaning, merging, quality assurance, database development, reporting, and documentation while ensuring compliance with data security, IRB, and data-use agreement requirements. The Research Data Analyst will lead the development and ownership of data infrastructure and data products, including relational database management, pipeline development, and reporting tools that support partner-facing communication and research use.
The Research Data Analyst will work under the supervision of project PIs Dr. Erin L Castro and Dr. Jason Taylor at the University of Utah. We strongly encourage applications from individuals directly impacted by incarceration and punishment systems.
Research Data Analysts
Assist with organizing and analyzing research data, ensuring accuracy and integrity. Perform data entry and prepare basic visualizations and reports using software such as Excel or Tableau. Support team efforts by maintaining datasets, performing quality checks, and documenting processes. Collaborate with senior analysts to learn and implement statistical methods for research projects.
Why This Role Matters
This position will help build one of the most important national datasets on prison higher education and student outcomes. The successful candidate will play a central role in producing credible evidence that informs policy, expands opportunity, and improves lives.
Compensation and Terms
This is a grant-funded position within PEARL. The position is full-time and benefitted. Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Travel, evenings, and weekends may occasionally be required. The Research Data Analyst may work remotely or on-site at the University of Utah with some travel required.
Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.
