Senior Research Analyst

Senior Research Analyst
The University of North Carolina System

Overview
The University of North Carolina System is a treasured public institution dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina through world-class teaching, research, and community engagement. Today, nearly 250,000 students are enrolled in our 16 universities across the state and at the NC School of Science and Mathematics. 

Individually Remarkable. Collectively Extraordinary.
The UNC System is one of the strongest and most successful systems of public higher education in the nation. Its mission—to discover, create, transmit, and apply knowledge to address the needs of individuals and society—remains true to the University’s founding ideal of shared knowledge in a free society. In addition, the UNC System has a long-standing commitment to public service. The UNC Center for Public Television, the UNC Health Care System, the NC Arboretum, and other University affiliates and programs reap social and economic benefits for the citizens of the state.

System Office
The UNC System Office, located in Chapel Hill, houses the offices of the president and senior administrative staff for the University. This core administrative staff executes the policies of the UNC Board of Governors and provides System-wide leadership and support in the areas of academic affairs, business and financial management, communications, strategy and policy, human resources, legal affairs, and government relations. The UNC System Office also has administrative oversight of a number of University affiliates.

The Opportunity
The UNC System Strategy and Policy Division is charged with enhancing and furthering the UNC System’s strategic goals. The division partners with the President and chancellors on System-wide strategic initiatives, is responsible for the institutional performance measurement framework, and serves as a higher-education policy expert to the President, the Board of Governors, and the NC General Assembly. The Division also tracks and assesses state and national trends in higher education and their likely impact on the UNC System, and proactively identifies new initiatives to support System strategies. The Division provides oversight of the NC Principal Fellows Programs, Teaching Fellows & Teacher Recruitment Programs, GEAR UP, Educator Preparation & Laboratory Schools, and policy and research initiatives.

The Senior Research Analyst leads the System’s efforts to collect data and engage in strategic research on education policy issues that are relevant to the university system and span the P-12 to higher education continuum. The Analyst’s portfolio is a blend of research and data analysis on P12 and postsecondary issues, including educator preparation and teacher quality, recruitment and retention of teachers and school leaders, student access and success, financial aid, and other issues. The Senior Research Analyst is also responsible for leveraging partnerships with faculty, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to assess needs and identify evidence-based strategies to make progress on System goals for P-12 and postsecondary education.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in public policy, social science, or a related discipline is required. A doctoral degree is preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in education research and program evaluation.
• Experience researching a range of education policy topics – including teacher preparation and teacher quality, K-12 school improvement, transition from K-12 to college, and postsecondary access and success. 
• Deep familiarity with higher education policy, strategy, and practice.
• Strong leadership ability and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex research initiatives involving diverse constituencies, multiple agencies, and student-level data.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Vice President, Chief of Staff, or the President as a senior member of the Division of External Affairs. 

Location
Chapel Hill, where the System Office is located, is part of a larger area called “The Triangle,” a term that references Research Triangle Park, a globally recognized center of research, innovation and thought leadership located between, and around, the three cities of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. Each of these cities is home to one or more UNC System institutions, as well as private universities, and other centers of learning and research. 

These three cities, as well as the cities and communities in the surrounding areas, offer a mix of suburban, urban, and rural living, combined with access to an outstanding array of civic, cultural, and athletic events. Outdoor enthusiasts will be thrilled with the area’s comfortable climate and easy access to both mountains and sea. Food lovers will appreciate access to a thriving Triangle restaurant scene often profiled in national media.

More affordable living than many metropolitan areas and host to many vibrant businesses, the Triangle area is part of the reason North Carolina was voted #1 by Forbes as the “Best State to Do Business.” Often ranked high on lists of best places to live, the Triangle area offers beauty, diversity, and interest for residents and visitors alike. For more information, see: http://www.workinthetriangle.com/

How to Apply
Interested applicants, please visit: https://uncgacareers.northcarolina.edu/postings/71129  For priority consideration, please apply by May 2, 2021.

The UNC System Office is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.