Research Scientist

The Association for Education Finance and Policy; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 68,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Arkansas is seeking a Research Scientist to advance policy-relevant research in education economics. The role involves leading empirical studies on human capital investments and evaluating education policies.

The position emphasizes preparing and maintaining large datasets, creating reproducible workflows, and developing visualizations to inform academic, policy, and practitioner audiences. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required or equivalent in related field.
• Experience in economics/education policy research is essential.
• Strong analytical and writing skills for policy audiences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct econometric, statistical, and causal analyses on education policy data.
• Develop data visualizations and dashboards to communicate findings to researchers and policymakers.
• Prepare datasets, maintain documentation, and ensure reproducibility of analyses.
• Contribute to technical reports and policy briefs.

Skills

Applied econometrics

Causal inference

Quantitative methods

Data visualization and communication

Education

Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or related field

Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, Education Policy, or related field

Tools

Stata

R

Python

Excel

Job description

The Research Scientist IV will play a key role in advancing rigorous, policy-relevant research in education economics and education policy. This position offers the opportunity to work on projects that examine the value of human capital investments, evaluate education policies and programs, and produce evidence that can inform decision-making in education systems.

The Research Scientist IV will help lead and contribute to empirical research projects using large-scale longitudinal, administrative, and other complex datasets. The position will be responsible for preparing, documenting, organizing, and maintaining research-ready datasets, with an emphasis on data quality, transparency, usability, and reproducibility.

A central part of the role will involve making complex data more accessible and actionable. The Research Scientist IV will help develop data visualizations, dashboards, and online tools that support research, analysis, and communication with academic, policy, and practitioner audiences. The position will also contribute to reproducibility packages and other resources that strengthen the transparency and long-term usefulness of research products.

The successful candidate will conduct and oversee econometric, statistical, and causal analyses; test hypotheses; and contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, academic papers, and other research outputs. As needed, the Research Scientist IV may also design and implement data collection systems and compile, clean, and manage complex datasets.

This position is well suited for candidates who are excited about using data, research, and visualization tools to address important questions in education policy and to communicate findings in clear, useful, and impactful ways.

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.
Additional Information: This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025. Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.
This position is renewable annually based on continued need for the position, availability of funding, and satisfactory job performance.

Position: Research Scientist

Organization: University of Arkansas

Location: Fayetteville, AR
United States

Salary: $67,500 - $70,000

Posting Start Date: 9/10/2026

Date Posted: 9/10/2026

Requirements Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or a related field from an accredited institution
• At least three years of experience conducting applied research in education economics, labor economics, education policy, or a related policy area

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, Education Policy, or a related field Policy, or a related field
• Experience in applied econometrics, causal inference, and quantitative methods
• Experience using statistical software and programming tools such as Stata, R, Python, and advanced Excel
• Experience preparing, documenting, managing, and analyzing large datasets, including U.S. and international education and labor datasets
• Experience developing data visualizations, dashboards, or other tools that make complex data accessible to research, policy, or practitioner audiences
• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Strong research writing and communication skills, including publishing policy briefs, technical reports, and academic papers