Education Policy Researcher

RAND Corporation; Santa Monica (CA); Sur place; USD 111 000 - 183 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA, invites applications for Education Policy Researchers in the Economics, Sociology and Statistics (ESS) department to study career and technical education and education-to-workforce transitions. You will contribute to projects informing policymakers and funders through rigorous empirical work.

The role involves linking state administrative data, applying causal inference, and communicating findings via reports and briefings, with opportunities to mentor

Qualifications

• Demonstrated training in quantitative research methods.
• Strong analytic skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to RAND's values of quality and objectivity.
• Experience with CTE, education policy, or labor market outcomes is valued.

Responsabilités

• Design and execute empirical studies on education-to-workforce transitions.
• Link and analyze state administrative datasets spanning K-12, postsecondary, and workforce.
• Apply causal inference and advanced quantitative methods to evaluate programs.
• Communicate findings to policy audiences via publications and reports.
• Contribute to business development including proposals and stakeholder relationships.
• Mentor junior researchers and foster a collaborative environment.

Connaissances

Quantitative methods

English communication

Team collaboration

Policy research

Formation

PhD in economics

Outils

R

Stata

SQL

Python

Description du poste

Job Type: Regular Position Description RAND's Economics, Sociology and Statistics (ESS) department is seeking talented Education Policy Researchers to contribute to impactful research on career and technical education (CTE) and education-to-workforce transitions. RAND researchers lead and contribute to projects that deliver objective, rigorous evidence to inform policymakers, state education agencies, federal agencies, and funders. CTE and education-to-workforce researchers in ESS work on multidisciplinary teams to analyze how secondary CTE programs shape students' postsecondary and labor market outcomes. Active projects include multi-year state CTE alignment studies and program evaluations supported by funders such as Arnold Ventures and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Researchers in this area work extensively with state administrative data that links K-12 records with postsecondary enrollment and workforce wage data.

Why RAND?

• Reputation for Excellence: Be part of a non-profit, non-partisan organization renowned for its rigorous and objective research.
• Dynamic Opportunities: Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams on diverse projects that challenge and expand your skills.
• Poised for Impact: Your research will inform state policymakers, legislators, and national stakeholders working to strengthen pathways from education to careers.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute rigorous empirical research studies on high school to postsecondary and workforce transitions.
• Link and analyze state administrative datasets spanning K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems to track student pathways longitudinally.
• Apply causal inference and other advanced quantitative methods to evaluate programs on education to postsecondary and workforce transitions.
• Use cutting edge technologies like AI/ML responsibly to improve quality and efficiency.
• Communicate findings to policy audiences through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations to state agency partners and funders.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing and cultivating relationships with state agencies, IES, and private funders.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated training in quantitative research methods
• Strong analytic skills and intellectual curiosity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• The ability to work effectively as a member of inclusive, multidisciplinary teams
• A strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity
• Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following content areas: Career and technical education (CTE) policy, program design, or evaluation; Secondary and postsecondary education policy and student outcomes; Education-to-workforce transitions, including postsecondary enrollment, credential attainment, and labor market entry; State longitudinal data systems (SLDS) linking K-12, postsecondary, and workforce administrative records; Labor market analysis, workforce development policy, or occupational supply-demand dynamics.
• Applicants must have demonstrated quantitative research skills, including experience with two or more of the following: Causal inference methods (e.g., difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, matching); Analysis of linked administrative data across K-12, postsecondary, and/or state workforce agencies; Multi-level or longitudinal statistical modeling; Machine learning or data science methods applied to large-scale education or workforce data.
• Experience: Successful applicants will present strong evidence of research experience, demonstrated through authorship of academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional reports.
• Experience: Experience working directly with state education or workforce agencies, or on externally funded research grants, is highly valued.
• Experience: The ability to conceptualize new research studies, contribute to proposals, and communicate findings to non-technical policy audiences is expected.

Education Requirements

The preferred candidate will have a PhD in economics, policy analysis, statistics, sociology, or a closely related field. Applicants should be currently completing a PhD or have 1 to 4 years of post-graduate experience in a research setting.

Location

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

Salary Range

Salary Range: $110,900 - $183,300
Associate Researcher: $110,900 - $152,500
Full Researcher: $126,400 - $183,300
Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the ranges shown. RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment as an Associate or Full Researcher, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Application Deadline

This notice will be open until November 16, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND has approximately 1,750 people working in offices in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of $470 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth with challenging assignments. As collaboration in interdisciplinary teams is an essential operating principle at RAND, we hire highly qualified talent and empower our people to do their best work by fostering a culture in which different views, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected, and staff have a sense of belonging with their colleagues, fair access to opportunities, and feel comfortable bringing their best selves to work each day. As part of our commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment, we welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.