Data Archivist

About the position Pew Research Center is seeking a Data Archivist to support our commitment to open science and data transparency. This newly created role will play a key part in enhancing the accessibility, usability, and reproducibility of our research data while continuing to protect the privacy and identity of our survey participants. As Data Archivist, you will lead efforts to create and implement best practices for preparing, documenting, and disseminating datasets. These best practices should maximize FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles while minimizing disclosure risk. You will work across teams to ensure our data is well-organized and thoroughly documented. You will serve as an internal advocate for data users, helping to ensure that our datasets are not only accurate and comprehensive but also easy to discover and reuse by researchers, journalists, and the public. This is a full-time, Pew Research Center position. The position is funded by an external grant and limited to a two-year term.

Responsibilities

• Develop optimization procedures to improve discoverability of our datasets on internal and external platforms
• Develop and maintain standards to improve accessibility of our microdata and tab plans by changing/adding formats and/or adding documentation
• Identify metadata documentation best practices and a process to implement those best practices at the Center
• Work with Legal to evaluate most appropriate license to publicly share the Center's survey data, including Creative Common options
• Identify and correct processing inefficiencies in our data publication process
• Sit on the internal Disclosure Risk Taskforce
• Document analytical decisions and code to support transparency and replicability, including the development of a RACI chart for publishing code to recreate derived variables that are used in reports but are not included in the microdata
• Manage/create merged time series datasets for select Center datasets
• Identify a process for internally archiving data and projects that are no longer in active use
• Identify and implement a process to assign Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) to microdata
• Prepare and upload public-facing datasets and restricted-use datasets for external sharing.
• Train staff on FAIR principles and best practices in data archiving.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in library sciences, organizational management, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience with data archiving, database management, or survey research. This may include graduate training at the MA/PhD level or equivalent experience in an applied setting.
• At least 3-5 years of experience applying FAIR and open science principles.
• Background in social science research or data curation.
• Experience in data management, archiving, or research support.
• Familiarity with FAIR principles, Creative Common licensing, data privacy principles, and exposure risk.
• Proficiency in metadata standards and documentation tools.
• Experience managing research projects, including working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, Python, Stata) and reproducible research workflows.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Detail oriented with exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products.
• Ability to work independently to carry out special projects from start to finish.
• Ability to balance numerous tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with other team members, as well as with staff from other Pew Research Center teams.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and identify optimal solutions

Benefits

• Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits.
• Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans
• Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year.
• A 37.5-hour workweek.
• Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component.
• Flexibility to telework a portion of each week, with an additional four telework “flex weeks” each year for most staff.

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