Research Contractor - Data Infrastructure

About the Organization

Mission

The Equity Research Cooperative (EqRC) is a non-profit research collective that advances the social, economic, educational, and political emancipation of communities of color through community-engaged research, advocacy, and the praxis of redistribution. As a People of Color interdisciplinary research cooperative, we strategically redistribute our financial resources, academic capital, and operational support to social justice initiatives, organizations, and movements that redress structural oppression.

Vision

We are guided by a deep and abiding freedom dream: one day Black and Brown communities will receive and experience dynamic reparative justice, and the depth and breadth of white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and capitalism will be addressed. On this day, Black and Brown communities will stand in the power of their sovereignty. We embrace this vision as a rich inheritance of social justice movements before us and the radical love we share with one another. This is our dream.

Structure

We have four circles (teams) that oversee our research, advocacy, grassroots redistribution, operations, and grant development. Organizational Circle leads EqRC's operational, HR, and financial processes. Strategy Circle drives our grant-securing strategy, financial and technical assistance redistribution to grassroots partners, and special projects for the organization. Research Circle manages several projects from medium to large size that include mixed-method data collection and analysis, relationship management with external partners, management of project consultants, and the reporting of deliverables (e.g., reports and presentations). Central Circle has a rotating representative from each of the above circles, and together, they develop, propose, and approve policies and processes that govern EqRC and its personnel.

Scope of Work: The Contractor will provide part-time support to EqRC’s data infrastructure and insight generation efforts. Key responsibilities include:

• Cleaning, structuring, and merging complex institutional and survey datasets in Databricks using SQL, PySpark, or R.
• Creating reusable pipelines and documenting data transformation steps.
• Developing interactive dashboards in Databricks with filtering and automated update features.
• Conducting QA reviews, validating metrics, and documenting logic and workflows.
• Supporting ad hoc data requests and optional training material development.

1. Payment: Payment will be $35,000 total and will be paid out monthly based on verified hours and deliverables. Invoices should be submitted on or before the last day of each month via the Contractor Payment Form. EqRC has up to 30 days to process payments after receiving an invoice.
2. Term: September 1-June 30, 2026; 10 months.