Part Time Research Consultant 2

Job Description

Center for Women's Welfare (CWW) has an outstanding opportunity for part time Research Consultant 2 to join their team.

 

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the CWW Director, the Research Consultant 2 will modernize the Self-Sufficiency Standard, a long-standing measure used nationwide to inform policies on economic security—impacting governments, nonprofits, and communities across the U.S.

 

This position is based in the UW Seattle Campus location, with occasional remote work days. The Research Consultant 2 will work with a team that communicates extensively over virtual meeting platforms, and Slack messaging.

work eligibility and work schedule. 

 

The salary information provided below is for a full-time position and will be prorated for this part-time, 70% FTE opportunity.

 

Key Responsibilities

Research Data Infrastructure and Repository Stewardship — 50%

The Research Consultant holds primary technical ownership of CWW’s core research repositories, including the Self-Sufficiency Standard (SSS) calculation codebase and the demographic analysis repository used for ACS-based income adequacy research. Responsibilities include:

• Maintain, develop, and document R-based codebases for the Self-Sufficiency Standard and associated demographic analyses, following best practices for reproducibility, version control, and code organization

• Lead the ongoing transition of SSS data processing workflows from Excel to R, implementing clean, modular, and well-documented scripts

• Manage version control and repository organization in GitHub, including branching, documentation, and change tracking

• Establish and maintain data validation protocols to ensure accuracy and consistency of research outputs across projects and states

• Develop and refine automated quality-control checks and testing procedures for SSS calculations and demographic analyses

• Document technical methodology, data sources, and workflow decisions in a manner accessible to research staff and external collaborators

 

SSS Tax and Cost Component Workflow Development — 30%

The Research Consultant leads the implementation of specific SSS cost calculation workflows in R, in collaboration with the Research Coordinator who defines research requirements and validation standards. Responsibilities include:

• Implement and refine state-specific tax logic in R, translating policy rules into reproducible functions and validating outputs against established benchmarks

• Develop and maintain childcare cost processing workflows, standardizing state-published data sources that vary substantially in format and structure across jurisdictions

• Troubleshoot discrepancies in input data, calculation outputs, and cross-state comparisons, documenting resolution approaches

• Collaborate with the Research Coordinator to identify methodological requirements and translate them into technical specifications

 

Research Support and Team Contributions — 20%

As a member of a small, mission-driven team, the Research Consultant contributes to broader research production and organizational functions as needed. Responsibilities may include:

• Support the production of SSS data files, demographic analysis tables, and other research deliverables across active projects

• Download and use census data, and other datasets, to conduct analysis with the Standard.

• Assist with data collection, cleaning, and input for SSS cost components

• Contribute to figure and table production in R for reports and presentations

• Assist with training and technical guidance for student workers on data-related tasks

• Participate in team planning, project tracking, and other organizational activities as assigned

 

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare, Economics, Statistics, Public Affairs, Public Health, Geography, Computer Science, and Demography, or a related field and two years of experience cleaning, managing, analyzing, and visualizing quantitative data using statistical software such as R, SAS, Stata, Python, or similar tools

Additional Qualifications

• High proficiency in Excel, and understanding of mathematical equations and statistics.

• Experience contributing to and maintaining large datasets

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with GitHub, Python, Tableau, and R Studio (or related statistical software such as STATA)

 

About the team:

Founded to advance economic justice for women and their families, the Center for Women’s Welfare researches issues around income inequality and economic opportunity. Its core initiative, the Self-Sufficiency Standard, measures the income needed to meet basic living expenses without public or private support, addressing income disparities and promoting economic opportunity. The Center for Women’s Welfare collaborates with government entities, nonprofits, and community groups to make informed decisions and enact effective policies that promote economic security for families.

 

The Center for Women's Welfare is part of the UW School of Social Work.  

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$84,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$90,744.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

70.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

UAW Research

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.