Education Policy Researcher

Job Type:

Position Description

RANDs 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:

Education Policy Researchers at RAND apply their analytical and substantive expertise to:

• 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

All research positions at RAND require:

• 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 RANDs 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 working directly with state education or workforce agencies or on externally funded research grants is highly valued. 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

Application Materials

A CV cover letter and peer-reviewed writing sample (pdf documents preferred) are required when applying. Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation which can be emailed to .

Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications. A writing sample of 3 pages or more is required when applying for this position. Applicants are encouraged to use recent research published in academic journals conference proceedings or research reports. Note that applicants invited to interview will be required to present a seminar describing recent research.

Salary Range: $110900 - $211700

Associate Researcher: $110900 - $180300

Full Researcher: $126400 - $211700

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 candidates 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 candidates education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RANDs 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