Education Policy Researcher, Labor and Workforce Development

Position Description

RAND is seeking applicants for policy research positions with a focus on labor and workforce development. Researchers at RAND work on collaborative research teams to solve real-world problems, producing objective, scientific analyses in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports to guide policymakers on a diverse set of issues. Researchers work in diverse, multidisciplinary teams that include policy researchers, economists, psychologists, statisticians, social scientists, and others with relevant training. They apply rigorous, empirical research designs to analyze education policy issues and evaluate programs.

Staff are encouraged to collaborate on projects across various research topics including education, labor, health, social and economic well-being, national security, and homeland security.

Qualifications

Successful applicants will have the ability to conceptualize research studies, obtain extramural funding, and lead and direct multi-disciplinary teams along with demonstrated qualitative and/or quantitative skills. Successful applicants will have experience mentoring and developing junior staff, setting project standards and monitoring progress, and communicating results to the RAND community as well as to policy-making audiences. The position requires a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity, and the motivation to work on addressing critical policy challenges. A record of peer-reviewed publications consistent with experience is expected.

All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Experience

Successful applicants will have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience performing social science research, preferably related to the programs and activities of the Department of Labor and other federal agencies that fund research in labor and workforce development areas; a minimum of five (5) years of experience serving as a project director or in an equivalent position managing complex projects with multiple teams working simultaneously on different activities; and a minimum of five (5) years of experience evaluating employment, workforce development, education, social services, or related programs, preferably using randomized control trials.

Successful applicants will have expertise in at least one substantive area relevant to employment and workforce development, including but not limited to: disability, older populations, veterans, apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations, measuring diversity of the workforce, reemployment services, and unemployment insurance.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Education Requirements

PhD in education policy, public policy, economics, sociology, psychology, and related fields preferred. Candidates with a master's degree and the required experience will be given full consideration.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA; Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; or Boston, MA

Application Materials

• CV, cover letter, and writing sample are required (PDF documents are preferred). One writing sample is sufficient if it is a published report or journal article from a refereed source, otherwise two writing samples are required (e.g., a draft first-authored journal article, draft report, or a job market paper).

• References: For researchers with fewer than 3 years of experience post-PhD completion, 3 letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly to policy-ess@rand.org.

Application Deadline

Completed applications are due by October 15, 2022.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet