Research Scientist I, II, III, Senior Research Scientist
- Mississippi State University
- United States, MS
- Jul 14, 2026
Job Description:
Position Function:
The Research Scientist conducts applied research, data analysis, and program evaluation to support a portfolio of projects at the National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (NSPARC). Working within an interdisciplinary research environment, the Research Scientist is responsible for conducting quantitative and qualitative research, producing technical reports and scholarly publications, communicating findings to audiences, and supporting externally funded research initiatives. Research areas may include workforce development, education, economic development, health, human services, corrections and reentry, public policy, and emerging applications of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.
Salary Grade:
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (NSPARC) conducts research and creates customized solutions in areas of economic, workforce, business, and community development.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Conduct quantitative and qualitative research using administrative, survey, longitudinal, proprietary, and public-use data sources.
2. Perform statistical analysis, predictive analytics, machine learning applications, economic and program evaluation, and policy analysis as appropriate to project needs.
3. Design and implement surveys, focus groups, interviews, and other primary data collection activities.
4. Manage research datasets, ensure data quality, and support data governance and documentation efforts.
5. Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, executive summaries, scholarly manuscripts, presentations, and other dissemination products.
6. Present research findings to clients, policymakers, agency leadership, community partners, and academic audiences.
7. Participate in project planning, timeline development, task management, and monitoring of project deliverables.
8. Maintain regular communication with project sponsors, agency partners, and stakeholders to support project execution and dissemination of findings.
9. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, software developers, data scientists, and external partners.
10. Assist in identifying funding opportunities and preparing competitive grant proposals, contracts, and research applications.
11. Maintain knowledge of emerging research methods, data science techniques, AI applications, and policy issues relevant to NSPARC's mission.
12. Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations.
13. Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
This candidate shall have a Ph.D. degree in Sociology, Rural Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Criminology, Demography, Statistics, Data Analytics, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Research Scientist I holds a Ph.D. Experience: Generally within three years after receiving their Ph.D. and with limited scientific research experience.
Research Scientist II holds a Ph.D. Experience: Three to seven years of relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. level and with very significant professional accomplishments
Research Scientist III holds a Ph.D. Experience: More than seven years of relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. and with extremely significant professional accomplishments
Senior Research Scientist holds a Ph.D. Experience: Individuals well beyond the Ph.D. that have demonstrated outstanding sustained, and extraordinary professional accomplishments as well as professional leadership
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Experience conducting applied research for government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, or research centers.
2. Experience working with administrative and longitudinal data systems.
3. Proficiency in Python, R, SAS, Stata, SPSS, SQL, or similar analytical tools.
4. Experience with machine learning, predictive analytics, AI-enabled research methods, or advanced statistical modeling.
5. Experience conducting program evaluations and economic impact analyses.
6. Experience preparing grant proposals and sponsored research applications.
7. Strong publication and technical writing record.
8. Experience presenting findings to executive, policy, and public audiences.
9. Familiarity with REMI, IMPLAN, Lightcast, Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms.
10. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
• No unusual physical requirements. Requires limited lifting of files and records and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applicants should complete online application at explore.msujobs.msstate.edu and upload a cover letter and current resume.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
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Employment Type:
Job Description:
Position Function:
The Research Scientist conducts applied research, data analysis, and program evaluation to support a portfolio of projects at the National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (NSPARC). Working within an interdisciplinary research environment, the Research Scientist is responsible for conducting quantitative and qualitative research, producing technical reports and scholarly publications, communicating findings to audiences, and supporting externally funded research initiatives. Research areas may include workforce development, education, economic development, health, human services, corrections and reentry, public policy, and emerging applications of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.
Salary Grade:
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (NSPARC) conducts research and creates customized solutions in areas of economic, workforce, business, and community development.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Conduct quantitative and qualitative research using administrative, survey, longitudinal, proprietary, and public-use data sources.
2. Perform statistical analysis, predictive analytics, machine learning applications, economic and program evaluation, and policy analysis as appropriate to project needs.
3. Design and implement surveys, focus groups, interviews, and other primary data collection activities.
4. Manage research datasets, ensure data quality, and support data governance and documentation efforts.
5. Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, executive summaries, scholarly manuscripts, presentations, and other dissemination products.
6. Present research findings to clients, policymakers, agency leadership, community partners, and academic audiences.
7. Participate in project planning, timeline development, task management, and monitoring of project deliverables.
8. Maintain regular communication with project sponsors, agency partners, and stakeholders to support project execution and dissemination of findings.
9. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, software developers, data scientists, and external partners.
10. Assist in identifying funding opportunities and preparing competitive grant proposals, contracts, and research applications.
11. Maintain knowledge of emerging research methods, data science techniques, AI applications, and policy issues relevant to NSPARC's mission.
12. Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations.
13. Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
This candidate shall have a Ph.D. degree in Sociology, Rural Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Criminology, Demography, Statistics, Data Analytics, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Research Scientist I holds a Ph.D. Experience: Generally within three years after receiving their Ph.D. and with limited scientific research experience.
Research Scientist II holds a Ph.D. Experience: Three to seven years of relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. level and with very significant professional accomplishments
Research Scientist III holds a Ph.D. Experience: More than seven years of relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. and with extremely significant professional accomplishments
Senior Research Scientist holds a Ph.D. Experience: Individuals well beyond the Ph.D. that have demonstrated outstanding sustained, and extraordinary professional accomplishments as well as professional leadership
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Experience conducting applied research for government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, or research centers.
2. Experience working with administrative and longitudinal data systems.
3. Proficiency in Python, R, SAS, Stata, SPSS, SQL, or similar analytical tools.
4. Experience with machine learning, predictive analytics, AI-enabled research methods, or advanced statistical modeling.
5. Experience conducting program evaluations and economic impact analyses.
6. Experience preparing grant proposals and sponsored research applications.
7. Strong publication and technical writing record.
8. Experience presenting findings to executive, policy, and public audiences.
9. Familiarity with REMI, IMPLAN, Lightcast, Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms.
10. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
• No unusual physical requirements. Requires limited lifting of files and records and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applicants should complete online application at explore.msujobs.msstate.edu and upload a cover letter and current resume.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
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