The UC Recruit Data Library allows UC analysts and researchers to request access to Recruit data.
What is the UC Recruit Data Library?
UC Recruit houses a vast store of information about the academic recruitment process across the entire UC system. Recruit is the system of record for all academic open searches, applications, applicants, waivers, exemptions, approvals, and more. The Data Library allows UC analysts and UC-affiliated researchers to request access to data, and to receive data extracts that will empower their efforts to examine the academic hiring process.
Who is eligible to receive data from the UC Recruit Data Library?
At this time, the Data Library is available only to analysts and researchers affiliated with the University of California. We serve both institutional researchers, whose results will flow only to internal UC audiences, and academic researchers, looking to publish work to the public.
What data is available in the UC Recruit Data Library?
The Data Library has access to all the information inside of UC Recruit. The API docs offer a thorough overview:
Note that while these docs are a good list of what data is available, the Data Library is not restricted to providing data in the same format that the API uses. The API offers data in a strict hierarchy, with nested records requiring access to all parent records. The Data Library is under no such limit and can accommodate your needs, whatever they are.
In addition, the data library allows you to filter data in many ways. Looking for all complete applications to senate-level recruitments in the Biology department, for the three most recent academic years? We can do that; just ask.
How do I request data from the UC Recruit Data Library?
- Read the Data Consumer Agreement. Signing this agreement is a prerequisite for receiving any data.
- Review the data available, and try to find the minimal set that will allow you to do your research. Some data fields are more sensitive than others, so try to ask for only what is absolutely needed. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is particularly sensitive: try to find a way to work with aggregated or deidentified data if possible.
- Fill out and submit the Data Request Form, outlining what data you need and what you will do with that data.
- Our Data Library Team will reach out to clarify your request, if necessary.
- Our Data Library Team will determine if policy allows us to provide you the data requested, and will inform you of that determination.
- Our Data Library Team will deposit the data into a OneDrive share for you to access.
How will the data be provided to me?
We can provide data in a number of formats. We’ll accommodate your needs, but some formats work better in certain situations.
- Tableau Hyper Files
allow you to quickly pick up the data and create visualizations, pivot tables, and the like. If you have access to Tableau, this is often the best format.
- JSON Files can hold arbitrary data in a tree format, which is useful if you need to examine multiple relationships.
- CSV Files can be imported into Excel for additional processing, and are the most portable format, but they are limited to two-dimensional data of columns and rows.
Are there limitations on the data I will be provided?
There are a number of limitations mentioned in the Data Consumer Agreement, and you will be constrained by those.
In addition, we are constrained by our agreements with the applicants. Applicants are given the opportunity to opt out of participating in academic research. Any applicants who exercise that right (and all applicants who applied before 2022, when that right was extended) will have their identifiable information omitted from all datasets being used for such purposes. All applicants are present in aggregate data and deidentified data.
Can I get direct access to the full UC Recruit database?
The UC Recruit dataset contains sensitive data including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), so direct access is not available. The Data Library was established to release targeted data sets to responsible researchers. Our team would be happy to work with you to find a data set that will enable your research.