Research Data Management Specialist Contract

Job Number: REQ_0000062092

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences is hiring a Research Data Management Specialist. The Research Data Management Specialist collaborates with principal investigators (PIs) on scientific manuscripts and is responsible for assembling large datasets for meta-analyses using data from Penn State research as well as other research labs worldwide. The position is responsible for contacting research labs to obtain data, format data (including metadata), and performing statistical analyses in cooperation with PIs. The Research Data Management Specialist provides support to research projects by managing databases, maintaining equipment inventory, and providing summary reports from databases. The position also serves as a coordinator for data collection among field research technicians, PIs at Penn State, and research collaborators. The Research Data Management Specialist is responsible for developing, testing, and implementing population surveys and training field technicians in protocols and data collection.

Specific duties include:

• Develop large datasets from multiple sources for statistical meta-analyses. Responsible for contacting other research labs to obtain datasets as well as the metadata for each dataset. Develop a common format to combine multiple datasets and maintain dataset on an online repository for access by collaborators. Work with PIs to identify statistical analyses and summarize results of analyses. Prepare figures and tables resulting from analyses for use in scientific reports and manuscripts. Collaborate on preparing manuscripts for submission to scientific journals.

• Oversees management of databases that track deer captures, recaptures, mortalities, population surveys, and GPS locations. Assign tasks to wage payroll employee to process and upload data to online database. Generate summary reports and PIs for annual reporting requirements to cooperating agencies and IACUC.

• Analyze data and prepare oral and written products intended for the general public. Can include linking spatial data to field-collected data to create datasets for statistical analysis. Prepare figures and text for annual reports to sponsors.

This is a limited term position funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of refunding.

Education and Experience:

This position will be filled as a Research Data Management Specialist-Intermediate Professional, which requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 1 or more years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$51,000.00 – $74,000.00

Salary Structure – additional information on Penn State’s job and salary structure.

University Park, PA