Research Data Coordinator

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 200 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Research Data Coordinator plays an integral role in the Innocence Project’s research data environment by auditing existing and historical data, identifying and coordinating initiatives to improve data entry, quality, and accessibility throughout the entire Innocence Project, and facilitating and participating in research endeavors undertaken by the Data Science and Research Department. This position is a key piece of the Department’s ability to accurately and confidently share data and reports that monitor and improve organizational functioning and helps to understand the contributing factors of wrongful conviction and successful approaches to overturning such convictions, and to promote effective methods of preventing wrongful arrests, prosecutions, and convictions. 

The Research Data Coordinator reports to the Director of Data Science and Research. In addition to directly contributing to a vigorous data environment for research and statistical purposes, this position coordinates data entry activities and liaises with other departments about data needs including Information Technology, Intake, Post-Conviction Litigation, Strategic Litigation, Policy, Communications, Social Work, and Development. Lastly, this position functions in a coordinating role for various department events, activities, and is critical to thorough documentation of all data efforts and decisions, such as submitting financial documents for reimbursement, scheduling meetings within and between departments, taking detailed and accurate notes during meetings and coordinating virtual and in-personal research visits.

All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experiences of a diverse and heterogeneous staff.  We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three (3) days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day,” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

COORDINATE DATA ENTRY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PRACTICES, PROVIDE RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR DATA SCIENCE AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT:

• Responsible for investigation, documentation of details, and data entry/revision for historical cases and occasionally new cases to be added to the case management system
• With oversight from Director of Data Science and Research, create and enter information for new variables for subject-specific subsets of information about important issues (e.g., prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel, additional factors that contribute to wrongful convictions, etc.) that are determined by organization-wide agreement
• Evaluate technical resources as needed, and provide technical support, advice, troubleshooting, and training regarding software used by the Data Science and Research Department for data analysis, reference management, project management, task management, and other needs
• Assist with research projects with other members of Data Science and Research
• In collaboration with Director of Data Science and Research, coordinate data entry across the organization to ensure data integrity, and monitor data entry to implement real-time corrections 
• Generate clear and thorough documentation of data entry efforts, and work with Data Science and Research to establish a reporting system that illustrates the ongoing quality of data in our case management system, including the IP Victories Database

COORDINATE DATA ENTRY AND COLLABORATIONS ACROSS THE INNOCENCE PROJECT:

• In conjunction with Director of Data Science and Research, support organization-wide efforts to develop and implement p