Working Title: Junior Research Scientist
Job Class: Research Scientist 1
Agency: Minnesota Management & Budget
Job ID : 94112
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 05/08/2026
Closing Date : 05/21/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Management & Budget
Division/Unit : Budget and Results Division / Impact Evaluation Unit
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $26.43 - $38.55 / hourly; $55,185 - $80,492 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : MAPE (Minnesota Association of Professional Employees)
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Results Management team at Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) conducts analysis and research that helps state and local partners make informed policy decisions to improve outcomes for people in Minnesota. Through a variety of approaches and methods, we conduct analysis that sparks insights and coordination among government agencies. We use a data-informed process to focus enterprise-wide efforts on results, foster collaboration, and ignite action to improve outcomes for people in Minnesota.
The Impact Evaluation Unit, as part of the Results Management team, is seeking a Junior Research Scientist to help conduct quantitative analysis and evaluations of state-funded programs to understand the efficacy of these programs for Minnesotans. This individual will work with a diverse research team on a variety of projects aimed at helping state agencies better understand the programs they support and implement.
Job duties for this position include:
Conducting data analysis and evaluation tasks in support of research projects, including cleaning and preparing datasets, running queries, and performing quantitative analyses
Preparing data for, and creating, visualizations that clearly and accurately represent analysis results for a variety of audiences
Conducting reviews of the current literature to help inform research studies using a variety of methods and analytical tools
Actively work on complex coding and causal identification methods under the guidance of senior staff
Contributing to publication of findings in reports, briefs, and other products using statistical software, data visualization software, web content management software, and other tools
Contributing to research partnerships with other organizations, state agencies, or local governments by formulating project goals and data needs, facilitating access to data, and providing expertise on analytic techniques and results
Communicating findings in a manner that facilitates trust, understanding, and use
This job offers the opportunity to work on diverse and engaging research projects that provide information that directly impacts the lives of Minnesotans across the state. MMB also offers job-related opportunities for continuing education or career development, and this position offers the opportunity for job progression as a research scientist for the state of Minnesota.
Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on their resume. Resume tips are available here (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/applicant-help/resume-tips/) .
Two (2) years of experience performing quantitative research and/or data analysis in a scientific, academic, or applied research setting
Experience must include:
Knowledge of basic research methods, survey design principles, and data collection techniques
Ability to analyze data using descriptive statistics and identify and clearly communicate trends or patterns
Technical skills to use analytical software, such as R, Python, SQL, or comparable programming languages sufficient to support data preparation and analysis and maintain and manipulate data
Writing and communication skills sufficient to prepare reports and describe complex quantitative information to a variety of audiences
Interpersonal and collaboration skills sufficient to work as part of a team to execute research projects and make informed recommendations
Demonstrated respect for diversity and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
A bachelor's degree in social science, data science, or statistics may substitute for one (1) year of experience and a master's degree in a similar field may substitute for eighteen months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
MMB values diverse perspectives and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the preferred qualifications. Your unique skills and background might be just what we need!
Experience querying and manipulating data in relational databases with SQL
Demonstrated completion of data analysis using statistical techniques
Demonstrated experience writing code for data analysis and data visualization in R, Python, or related programming languages
Familiarity with Minnesota state government processes and programs
Professional certificate or degree in computer science, data science, economics, statistics, or social sciences
A master's degree in economics, statistics, social science, or data science
Experience conducting scientific studies of public programs or program effectiveness
Additional Requirements
It is the policy of Minnesota Management and Budget that a successful candidate must pass all required checks prior to employment which may consist of the below checks:
SEMA4 records check (applies to current and past state employees only)
Criminal history check
Reference check
Social Security and address verification
Education verification
Conflict of interest review
Other legally or internal policy required checks
A criminal history does not automatically disqualify candidates, and each case will be reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and in alignment with fair and equitable hiring practices.
Minnesota Management & Budget does not participate in E-Verify. Minnesota Management & Budget will not sponsor applicant work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
