Job Vacancy: Data Researcher

We are looking for a Data Researcher to join the team at OCSI. 

The data & research role at OCSI is a great opportunity for anybody interested in quantitative research or data science. It offers the opportunity to use statistical and analytical skills to help public sector and social purpose organisations effectively plan, target and evaluate programmes.

Sounds like my cup of tea – what does OCSI do?

Based in Brighton, we are a social research consultancy with a strong technical focus. We use our expertise in research and technology to provide tools, analysis and support for organisations working for social good.

We work with place-based data to help organisations better understand the communities they serve. We do this through consultancy projects such as the Indices of Deprivation and our work on left behind neighbourhoods. We also deliver long-term subscription based products (such as Local Insight and Community Insight) that provide direct access to local level data in easy to use platforms.

Take a look at our website to find out more about the projects we are working on.

So, what does a Data Researcher do?

The successful candidate will play a key role as part of the OCSI research team primarily involved with supporting and maintaining the data on our mapping products Local Insight and Community Insight. You will be expected to: 

• Capture data and maintain our database of socio-economic datasets
• Explore the open data landscape to identify indicators for inclusion in our tools and data services
• Carry out Quality Assurance – validating data and report outputs to ensure that the information we are presenting is correct.
• Create reports and data visualisations to explain key messages from the data
• Support on research projects, including write up, analysis and production of visualisations to be incorporated into reports
• Develop research briefings and blogs for use by the OCSI team and published externally. 
• Collect spatial socio-economic data from national and international sources (including the UK and US)
• Work alongside the User Support team to answer queries relating to the data in our products.

You’ll also be developing your quantitative research skills. This could potentially involve learning to use statistical software (STATA) and database management software (PostGres SQL).

There will be lots of opportunities for learning and skills development. We provide an individual training budget for all team members and encourage you to get involved in any and all areas of the company that interest you.

Great! And what skills do I need to fit the bill?

We are looking for:

• Good quantitative research skills, comfortable analysing data in Microsoft Excel or other standard packages
• Good knowledge of descriptive statistics, and an eye for detail
• A keen contributor to team-work meetings, also able to work alone when required
• A confident communicator –  with clients as well as the OCSI team, and a good listener & questioner.
• Good written skills, able to explain complex research findings in an easy-to-understand way using a wide range of visuals as appropriate. 
• An interest in social and public policy issues, and different ways to help tackle social problems
• A fast learner, able to get up-to-speed quickly and use initiative.

Bonus skills/ experience (desirable, but not essential).

• Experience in an office working environment.
• Experience of using statistical software e.g. Stata, and/, or database management software e.g. MySQL
• Understanding of data visualisation principles, and experience with dataviz tools (Excel naturally, but also for example: mapping tools such as Google maps, dataviz languages such as D3 and so on).
• Government policy knowledge around issues such as poverty and low wages, unemployment, crime levels.
• Knowledge of the UK data landscape.
• Knowledge of language(s) appropriate for research, including technical language.

Anything else I should know?

The starting salary will be £25,000-£29,000 per annum (pro rata) depending on experience. This is a full-time role, although we can be flexible if that is important to you. This is a permanent role, with a 6 month probationary period. 

We largely work remotely but the successful applicant will be expected to attend our Brighton based offices for some meetings and events. You are also able to work from our office more regularly (or every day) if that suits you and your needs. There may be occasional travel to London and further afield for meetings as required.

What we offer

• 30 days annual holiday + bank holidays (pro rata)
• Annual performance-related bonus
• Training & development fund
• Flexible working hours
• Up to 5% matched pension contributions

How to apply

If you like the sound of all this, please send a copy of your CV and a covering letter to kimberley.gregory@ocsi.co.uk . 

Please note, we will not accept applications that do not include a covering letter.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 14th March and we are looking to schedule interviews for the week beginning 20th March

We look forward to hearing from you!

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