Post Doctoral Associate

Rutgers University • New Brunswick, NJ

1d

About The Position

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Postdoc Associate for the John J. Heldrich Center. The Heldrich Center seeks a postdoctoral associate specializing in quantitative data analysis to work with our state longitudinal data system. Our data system includes data linked across four state agency partners and allows researchers to evaluate state programs and policies for those from secondary and postsecondary education to the workforce. The duration of the postdoctoral associateship is for one year; however, renewal for a second year is possible and based on performance and available funding. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, interested in forging collaborative relationships with staff, faculty, and graduate students, and have a strong commitment to evidence-based policy. Successful candidates must have excellent and advanced data analysis skills to be used with quantitative datasets. Additionally, candidates must have expertise in a research area related to education, workforce development, health, economics, or a related field. Leads and/or provides work direction, training and/or technical assistance to lower level permanent employees, and/or temporary, student and/or consultant employees. The position will exercise substantial independent judgment. The position will be responsible for the design of research studies that the Heldrich Center conducts. As such, the person in this position will make independent decisions with respect to the following critical research design and statistical issues: Which variables should be included in each model? From what population should the comparison group be drawn? Which statistical procedures should be used to determine the comparison group? Which statistical models should be use for the data analysis? How should missing values in the data be treated? Which performance measures are the most appropriate ones for measuring the effectiveness of different programs? Although the position will make the key decisions with regard to the design of all research projects, NJSDS Director and other team members will participate in the decision-making process for developing the design of the analyses to be conducted using data in the longitudinal data system . The position provides input into the development of the Center’s strategic planning process, including proposing new areas of research for the Center and recommending additional funding sources for projects. Because the position will have in depth knowledge of the data in the data system and the analyses that can be conducted based on that data, the person in this position will play a key role in identifying funding opportunities for which the data in the system could be used.

Requirements

• Successful candidates must have excellent and advanced data analysis skills to be used with quantitative datasets.
• Candidates must have expertise in a research area related to education, workforce development, health, economics, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Produce timely and high-quality writing, tabular and visual materials for research reports and presentations
• Conduct internet and other data searches
• Conduct literature reviews
• Assist in the development of research proposals
• Prepare research plans
• Independently manages data collection, cleaning, and analysis for assigned projects
• Manages various data projects (including data validation, cleaning, and transforming program administrative data), and collecting and analyzing publicly available data on employment, education and higher education residing in large federal data sets (e.g., Census data, NCES data)
• Conducts research and prepares project-related technical reports, memoranda and other written materials
• Participates in self-directed research with support from Center as needed
• Participates in training and professional development, attends conferences, contributes to community of postdoctoral fellows at Rutgers
• Assist in research project management activities such as monitoring project deliverables and team progress
• Schedule project meetings
• Prepare meeting agendas, meeting summaries, research briefs, and other research project materials
• Support identification of future research areas and funding opportunities for the Center
• Participate in grant development efforts and Center strategic planning sessions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees