Research Assistant Professor of Education Policy

The Association for Education Finance and Policy; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Arkansas, Department of Education Reform, Fayetteville, AR, invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor of Education Policy. The 9-month, non-tenure-track position advances rigorous, policy-relevant research on educator workforce, school finance, school choice, and CTE, with heavy emphasis on quantitative analysis of large administrative datasets.

The role involves data collection, management, analysis, and writing/editing journal articles, technical reports, policy

Qualifications

• PhD in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or related field conferred by start of employment.
• Experience with the U.S. education system.
• Experience managing and analyzing large, complex datasets.
• Demonstrated expertise in applied econometrics, causal inference, and quantitative research methods.
• Ability to produce research papers, reports, and presentations using quantitative analysis.
• Proficiency with Stata, R, and Python.
• Experience developing data visualizations, dashboards, or other tools for research or policy.
• Strong research writing and communication skills for briefs, reports, and publications.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects.

Responsibilities

• Collect primary data and manage/clean large datasets.
• Analyze data and write/edit journal articles, technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
• Develop data visualizations and dashboards for policy audiences.
• Coordinate with research partners and support grant proposals and new initiatives.
• Engage with stakeholders and contribute to dissemination of findings.

Skills

Applied econometrics

Causal inference

Quantitative research methods

Research writing

Grant proposal experience

Policy communication

Education

PhD in Economics

PhD in Public Policy

PhD in Data Science

PhD in related field

Tools

Stata

R

Python

Data visualization tools

Job description

Research Assistant Professor of Education Policy

The Research Assistant Professor - 9-month, non-tenure track - will play a key role in advancing rigorous, policy-relevant research within the Department of Education Reform. The position will support multiple research projects, many conducted in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education, on topics such as the educator workforce, school finance, school choice, and career and technical education.

The Research Assistant Professor will contribute to empirical research using large-scale administrative datasets as well as data collected through surveys and interviews. Responsibilities include collecting primary data, managing and analyzing complex datasets, and writing and editing academic journal articles, technical reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other research products.

Additional responsibilities may include developing data visualizations, supporting stakeholder outreach, coordinating with research partners, and assisting with grant proposals and new research initiatives.

This position is well suited for candidates who are committed to using rigorous research and clear communication to address important questions in education policy and help shape the future of schooling in Arkansas and across the nation.

This is an in-person position. On-campus presence is an essential function of this position. Extensive in-person engagement in activities such as office hours, student advising, collaborative work, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is required to advance student success, departmental effectiveness, and the mission of the college and the university.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Position:

Research Assistant Professor of Education Policy

Organization:

University of Arkansas, Department of Education Reform

Location:

Fayetteville, AR
United States

Salary:

Commensurate with education and experience

Posting Start Date:

11/5/2026

Date Posted:

11/5/2026

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or a related field from an accredited institution conferred by start of employment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the U.S. education system
• Experience managing and analyzing large, complex datasets
• Demonstrated expertise in applied econometrics, causal inference, and quantitative research methods
• Demonstrated ability to produce research papers, reports, and presentations on education issues using quantitative analysis
• Proficiency with statistical software and programming tools such as Stata, R, and Python
• Experience developing data visualizations, dashboards, or other tools that make complex data accessible to research, policy, or practitioner audiences
• Strong research writing and communication skills, including experience producing policy briefs, technical reports, and academic publications
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects

Name:

University of Arkansas, Department of Education Reform