Senior Research Scientist - Center for Policy Research

ETS; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 155,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

ETS Research Institute invites applications for a Senior Research Scientist to lead research on schooling, human capital development, workforce readiness, and economic mobility in an AI-enabled world. Based in the Center for Policy Research, the role interfaces with policymakers to translate evidence into policy actions.

The position emphasizes rigorous quantitative methods, collaboration with federal/state partners, and dissemination through policy briefs and publications in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in causal inference and quasi-experimental designs or related quantitative methods.
• Expertise in educational attainment, workforce readiness, or economic mobility research.
• Experience with statistical programming and analysis of educational/workforce data.
• Strong scholarly and applied research productivity with policy impact.
• Ability to communicate complex results to policymakers and practitioners.
• Commitment to objectivity and rigor in evidence-based decision making.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and publish rigorous policy research on education and workforce systems using causal inference and quantitative designs.
• Lead development, evaluation, and translation of research frameworks informing state and federal policy.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners on policy analysis and field-building initiatives.
• Provide policy consultation and technical assistance to policymakers and practitioners.
• Mentor junior staff and disseminate findings through briefs, testimony, and publications.

Skills

Causal inference

Quasi-experimental designs

Cost-benefit analysis

Predictive modeling

Longitudinal data analysis

Policy analysis

Machine learning

R/Python/Stata

Education

Ph.D. in Labor Economics, Economics, Public Policy, Education Policy, or related quantitative field

Tools

R

Stata

Python

Job description

About ETS

ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners worldwide to be future‑ready. For more than 75 years, we've been advancing the science of measurement to build benchmarks for fair and valid skill assessment across cultures and borders. Our worldwide impact extends through our renowned assessments including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE and Praxis tests, serving millions of learners in more than 200 countries and territories. Through strategic acquisitions, we've expanded our global capabilities: PSI strengthens our workforce assessment solutions, while Edusoft, Kira Talent, Pipplet, Vericant, and Wheebox enhance our educational technology and assessment platforms across critical markets worldwide. Through ETS Research Institute and ETS Solutions, we're partnering with educational institutions, governments, and organizations globally to promote skill proficiency, empower upward mobility, and unlock opportunities for everyone, everywhere. With offices and partners across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, we deliver nearly 50 million tests annually. Join us in our journey of measuring progress to power human progress worldwide.

Senior Research Scientist

The ETS Research Institute invites applications for a position to lead and contribute to a research agenda focused on schooling, human capital development, workforce readiness, and economic mobility in an AI‑enabled world. The position will be housed in the Center for Policy Research, a new initiative at ETS dedicated to providing policymakers the research evidence they need to improve education and workforce systems at scale. The Center's research agenda focuses on the development of foundational skills (e.g., literacy, numeracy, etc.), durable skills (e.g., communication, critical thinking, etc.), and AI literacy in K‑12 settings; college‑to‑career pathways; credentials of value; job training; upskilling; and adult learning.

Particular areas of interest include (1) understanding and measuring the skills and capabilities that drive success in education and labor markets, including how advances in AI are reshaping skill demand, workforce readiness, and pathways to opportunity, and (2) generating evidence on the effectiveness of educational and workforce development pathways, including competency‑based education (CBE), career and technical education (CTE), and other approaches designed to promote skill acquisition, employment, earnings growth, and long‑term economic mobility.

We seek quantitative scientists to work in a dynamic research environment sitting at the intersection of innovative policy research methods, state‑of‑the‑art large‑scale assessment data, world‑class measurement science, and policy impact. Scientists in the Center will directly interface with educational and workforce stakeholders at the federal, state, and local level to scope out policy challenges and produce applied research that can help address those challenges. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience directly collaborating with policymakers to identify evidence‑based solutions. The successful candidate will join a growing team advancing ETS’s research agenda focused on policies and programs that impart the knowledge and skills that learners of all ages need for the workforce of the future. The job is based in ETS’s Washington, DC office. Scientists in the Center are expected to represent ETS in the activities and functions of the city’s vibrant policy ecosystem.

Conduct and publish rigorous policy research on education and workforce systems, including K‑12, postsecondary, and career pathways, using causal inference methods (e.g., regression discontinuity, difference‑in‑differences) and other quantitative designs. Investigate how skills, competencies, credentials, and educational experiences predict educational attainment, employment, earnings growth, productivity, workforce participation, and economic mobility. Lead the development, evaluation, and translation of research frameworks that inform state and federal education policy, with attention to systems‑level change. Lead internal research teams and collaborations with external partners - including state education agencies, school districts, foundations, and research organizations - on policy analysis and field‑building initiatives. Provide policy consultation and technical assistance to policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders seeking to apply research evidence to decision‑making. Lead proposal development for foundation grants, federal funding, and philanthropic partnerships. Mentor junior staff, postdoctoral fellows, and interns, contributing to the development of boundary‑spanning professionals who can bridge research, policy, and practice. Disseminate research findings to diverse audiences through peer‑reviewed publications, policy briefs, convenings, newspaper commentaries, legislative testimony, and blog posts.

This position will be located in Washington, DC

#LI-MM1Keyword: Education Policy Research

Required Experience

• Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas: causal inference and quasi‑experimental designs, cost‑benefit analysis, advanced predictive modeling, longitudinal and panel data analysis, ROI forecasting, analysis of large‑scale assessment data, machine learning applications, labor market information and job‑postings analytics, linkage and analysis of administrative wage‑outcome data systems, policy simulation, microsimulation modeling, and structural dynamic modeling. Candidates are not expected to have expertise in all areas.
• Expertise in research on educational attainment, workforce readiness, human capital development, education‑to‑work transitions, economic mobility, or human capability assessment.
• Experience with statistical programming (e.g., R, Stata, Python) and analysis of administrative, survey, or longitudinal data in education or workforce contexts.
• Strong record of scholarly and applied research productivity, demonstrated through peer‑reviewed publications, technical reports, frameworks, policy‑oriented research, or other influential contributions.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex research findings to policymakers, practitioners, and other non‑technical audiences.
• Commitment to objectivity and rigor in support of evidence‑based decision‑making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting research in partnership with state education agencies, school districts, or federal programs. Track record of translating research into actionable insights for policy audiences through briefs, testimony, convenings, or technical assistance.

Required Education

A Ph.D. or equivalent in Labor Economics, Economics, Public Policy, Education Policy, or a closely related quantitative field, with at least eight years of experience in an applied policy research or academic/statistical analysis environment. We will consider exceptional candidates with fewer years of experience if they have a competitive publication and funding portfolio.

The expected base Salary Range for this role is: $155,000 -$185,000 however the extended offer may be lower or higher depending on the relevance of the selected candidates experience. This range does not include benefits or incentives that may be applicable.

ETS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe in creating a work environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

From: ETS