Research Analyst (Center on Education Data and Policy)
Research Analyst
(Center on Education Data and Policy)
About Urban Institute:
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.
Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity
The Opportunity:
The Center on Education Data and Policy is seeking a research analyst to work on a range of education policy projects on topics such as universal prekindergarten, school funding, school assignment, school segregation, and economic mobility. We are looking for individuals with a background in social science and/or public policy (especially education policy) and strong data management and analysis skills.
The successful candidate will contribute to multiple project teams, including through the following types of tasks:
Responsibilities:
- Write computer programs that clean, merge, and efficiently store education datasets.
- Write computer programs that analyze datasets for a variety of research projects, ranging from blogs to major reports.
- Draft sections of reports and other research products.
- Serve as resource to other project staff on quantitative methods.
- Contribute to project management, including tasks such as budget monitoring, workplan development, monitoring toward short- and long-term project goals, and coordination with other project staff.
- Contribute to development of proposals for external funding, including research plans and budgets.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to and manage workflows on multiple projects.
Who you are:
The successful candidate will have:
· Completed (as of summer 2023) a master’s degree in a field related to social science (e.g. public policy, economics, statistics, computer science, political science, or sociology), or have an equivalent level of professional experience and education (e.g., a bachelor’s degree with 2-4 years of experience in education policy research)
· Strong coding and data management skills, including experience independently using a program such as Stata or R to analyze large, complex datasets
· Demonstrated interest in education policy at the PK-12 level
· Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and to developing evidence-based strategies to dismantle racist institutions and structures.
· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
· An ability to manage multiple tasks across multiple project teams simultaneously to successful completion
· Outcome-driven focus with a strong attention to detail
· Comfort with working independently and as part of a team
· Strong written and oral communications skills
What you’ll experience
No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.
Urban’s greatest asset is our people.
Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after five months of service and 1,000 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by January 18, 2022, and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work. Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated. Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.
The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Urban Institute is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected status under applicable law.
The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.