Data Architect

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew Research Center’s work is carried out by a staff of 130.

Position Description

The Data Architect will be a member of a small data team that is developing new ways to make use of large data sets to inform social science research, and innovative new methods for digital storytelling and data visualization.

Responsibilities

• As a member of the data team, work on building and maintaining a centralized database containing 40 years of social science survey data
• Help design data structures capable of housing loosely-structured datasets, as well as the tools to allow analysts to read, create, and update these data as needed.
• Help design and implement API frameworks to provide internal and public access to data
• Using tools such as Hive and MongoDB, provide support for analysts who need help processing large or unwieldy datasets into something that can be easily analyzed.
• Ensure that all code is error-free and maintainable
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation and user guides
• Work with other members of data team and IT Systems and Network Engineer to ensure security and stability of development and production systems

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1 to 3 years’ experience writing analytical SQL queries (MS SQL preferred), ideally in the social science or online analytics space
• 1 to 3 years object-oriented and functional programming experience
• Experience managing a shared codebase with other developers using Git, Subversion (SVN) or other version control system.
• Experience with two or more of the following:
  • MongoDB
  • SQL Server Report Builder/Reporting Services
  • Statistical analysis tools (R, SPSS or STATA)
  • Data processing tools (Python, Hadoop, Hive, Pig, etc.)
  • Excel macros and pivot tables
  • Data visualization tools (Tableau, Qlikview, Spotfire, D3.js, HighCharts.js etc)

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Knowledge of best practices for designing relational data structures
• Familiarity with web API principles and best practices
• Experience with writing SQL functions/stored procedures
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with project stakeholders
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to clearly explain complex technical problems to less technical users.
• Ability to write and maintain user and system documentation for applications and processes.

Application Procedure

Applicant should send a résumé, cover letter (indicating where you learned of the opening) with salary expectations to careers@pewresearch.org. Responses can also be mailed to:

Human Resources Department
Pew Research Center
1615 L Street, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

We are an equal opportunity employer.