Demographics Research Specialist, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

The Demographics Research Group at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service is seeking a bright, self-motivated, and responsible individual to join our highly respected team as a Research Specialist. The successful candidate will work closely with senior research specialists on a wide range of demographic data production and research projects.

This position provides an opportunity to develop expertise in demographic research and applied data analysis while contributing to projects that inform public policy and planning in Virginia and beyond.

Responsibilities

The Research Specialist will:

Support demographic data production and research. Assist senior research specialists with the production of Virginia population estimates, population projections, school-age population estimates, and school enrollment projections. Responsibilities may include data collection and processing, data quality checks, methodological research, statistical analysis, documentation, and preparation of blog posts, reports, presentations, and other materials to communicate research findings.

Support external projects. Serve as a member of project teams on external contract projects, working under the direction of project leads. Responsibilities may include data collection and analysis, research, report preparation, and other project-related tasks.

Contribute to outreach and dissemination. Assist with the preparation and dissemination of research findings through presentations, publications, web content, and other outreach activities.

Other duties as assigned

We are seeking an individual who demonstrates:

Honesty, integrity, and accountability

Eagerness to learn and grow professionally

Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality

Strong written and oral communication skills

Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of a research team

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher in demography, education, sociology, urban planning, public policy, economics, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Experience with GIS and/or spatial data analysis

Familiarity with Virginia’s demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic landscape

One to three years of relevant professional or research experience

Experience with at least one statistical software package, such as R, Stata, or SAS

Experience with large-scale data extraction, processing, and analysis

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The hiring range is $60,000-$80,000, commensurate with education and experience.

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits .

This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and is eligible for a hybrid schedule of on grounds and remote work, with additional on-site presence as needed, in accordance with UVA’s remote work guidelines.

To learn more about UVA and the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .

Application review will begin after October 13, 2026.

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online , by searching for requisition number R0088157. Complete an application with the following documents:

A cover letter or statement of interest explaining their interest in the position and qualifications. Please limit the letter to two pages.

A brief curriculum vitae (CV), limited to three pages.

Names and contact information for three professional references.

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Finalists will be asked to complete a written assessment as a final screen for research and analytical competency.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website .

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

For questions about the position, please contact Qian Cai, qc6q@virginia.edu.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Senior Recruiter, sxv9zv@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .