Senior ResearcherMaryland State Judiciary

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. Telework, up to 2 days per week, may also be available. Telework eligibility is based on job functions and the approval of the Administrative Head.

Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov) 

About the Maryland Court System | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)

Maryland Judiciary Pay Scale June 2025

Essential Job Functions:  

Leads and manages independent and collaborative projects to compile, analyze and interpret court data and produce written analytical reports. Supports the transition to a centralized data warehouse by applying strong data, research, and analytical skills to transform data into meaningful insights to internal and external stakeholders.

Ensures that data published in data reports and for public information requests is accurate, complete and timely. Independently manages the collection, validation, analysis, and production of the annual statistical abstract for the Judiciary, including budget, finance, and personnel sections, as well as caseload data across the four levels of court. Works with the Office of Government Relations and Public Affairs to review and finalize the publication.

Responds to internal and external data requests by compiling statistics, analyzing trends, and providing clear explanations of court data and operations for use by judiciary leadership, policymakers, and the public. Collaborates with Senior Researchers and Executive leadership to conduct studies, program evaluations, and special projects and to present findings through reports, briefings, and presentations. 

Designs and administers surveys, analyzes results, and prepares written summaries of findings. Drafts fiscal and operational impact estimates to submit to the General Assembly. Reviews court policies and practices that may affect the validity and reliability of data, including conducting site visits to courts throughout the state when needed.

Works independently and as part of a team on specialized or emerging research and data projects. Provides staff support to judicial committees, subcommittees, and work groups. Assists the manager and the director in coordinating and evaluating research. Requires occasional statewide travel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Data analysis and research projects. Leads complex research and data analysis projects to examine court operations, trends, and court program outcomes. Interprets findings and prepares analytic reports, program evaluations, special studies, and presentations that inform judiciary leadership and stakeholders in strategic planning, policy development, and operational decision-making.

Data requests and analytical support. Responds to internal and external data requests by compiling statistics, analyzing trends, and providing clear explanations of court operations and data for use by leadership, policymakers, staff and the public. Evaluates court business practices and data processes that affect the validity and reliability of court data. Conducts site visits and collaborates with courts, data governance staff, and technical teams to improve data quality, consistency, and reporting standards.

Strategic data reporting and dashboard development. Develops strategic recommendations regarding court data to be presented through internal and external public facing dashboards and reports. Works with technical and program staff to identify key performance indicators, ensure appropriate interpretation of court data, and promote meaningful and consistent data reporting.

Annual statistical abstract production. Manages the collection, validation, analysis, and production of the annual statistical abstract, including budget, financial, personnel sections, and court caseload data. Coordinates editing and final production.

Committees and special projects. Works independently and collaboratively on specialized or emerging research initiatives. Provides staff support to judicial committees, subcommittees, and work groups and assists in coordinating research for those groups as well as coordinates with research conducted by external partners, including state universities under MOU's.

Research design and data collection. Designs and administers surveys and other research instruments; uses appropriate statistical tests to analyze results and prepares reports summarizing findings and their implications.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education: PhD or Master's degree 

Experience:

Three (3) years of experience in conducting research, program evaluations, or statistical analysis. 

Preferred Experience: 5 years of related experience; 4 years of statistical analysis and program evaluation experience. Court-related experience desirable.  Experience leading research projects. 

Preferred: Enrollment in or graduation from the National Center for State Courts' Institute for Court Management Program (or similar program).

Note:

Professional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Advanced research design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation methods.

Data management principles, including data quality, validation, and governance practices. 

Qualitative and quantitative research methods used in program evaluation and policy analysis. 

Court operations, judicial processes, and public sector program evaluation. 

Data visualization principles and the effective communication of complex data through reports, dashboards, and presentations.

Survey design, data collection methods, and evaluation methodology.

Laws of Maryland, Maryland Code, Judicial Rules, Case Management Applications and Updates, Case Time Standards (Trial & Appellate), Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) - Enterprise Justice Case Management System, Judiciary Policies.

Skill in:

Analytical critical thinking skills to interpret complex data and identify meaningful trends, patterns, and their implications.

Translating technical and complex data findings into clear written reports and presentations for non-technical audiences.

Statistical analysis and working with large datasets from multiple sources.

SPSS, R, or Stata. 

Power BI or Tableau.

Developing and presenting data visualizations, dashboards, and analytic summaries.

Managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines.

Collaborating with technical staff, subject matter experts, and leadership to develop meaningful data and analytical products.

Ability to:

Lead and manage complex research and data analysis projects independently and collaboratively.

Develop strategic recommendations based on data analysis to support operational, policy, and reporting decisions.

Assess data reliability and data reportability and identify issues with data validity and consistency.

Communicate complex analytical findings clearly to a wide variety of audiences, including leadership, policymakers, court staff, and the public.

Adapt research and analytical approaches as data systems and reporting needs evolve.

Exercise strong judgment and maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive data.

Lead meetings and take responsibility for resolving issues. 

Communicate research findings and recommendations directly to the State Court Administrator, judges and other judicial officers, and the public in a clear, concise, and actionable manner. Ability to communicate research findings effectively to judicial leadership. 

Exercise tact and discretion in all communications.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Software and Computer Skills:

Statistical analysis software such as SPSS, R, or similar tools. Data visualization and business intelligence platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar dashboard tools.  Advanced Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, large dataset management, and data analysis. Experience working with relational databases, data warehouses, or large administrative datasets.  Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for report writing, presentations, and documentation.

Selection Process:

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at aocta@mdcourts.gov.

The Maryland Judiciary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their request via email to ADA@mdcourts.gov or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug-free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. 

Please find the Maryland Judiciary's equal employment opportunity policy here: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.