Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy • Cambridge, MA

5d • $116,000 - $139,200 • Onsite

About The Position

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks a postdoctoral research scholar to conduct research and participate in program development related to the design and administration of land-based fiscal systems. The role focuses on projects related to municipal fiscal health, including valuation methods, tax incentive design, and data infrastructure that supports fiscal analysis. The scholar will combine original research with development of data products and guidance for practitioners, contributing to scholarly knowledge while reaching practitioners and public officials.

The position is part of the Land and Fiscal Systems team, which supports local-government revenue and provides public officials with tools and training related to valuation, land-market dynamics, and public policy. The scholar will contribute to the Fiscal Systems impact area’s research agenda, strategic planning, and program development. The role is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with travel of up to 10%.

Requirements

• PhD in economics, public policy, urban planning, or a related field, completed within 1–2 years of hire.
• Approximately 10 years of sustained development of expertise in urban fiscal sustainability.
• Demonstrated ability to produce research on property taxation, state and local public finance, or urban economics.
• Strong experience in applied econometrics and analysis of administrative microdata.
• Demonstrated ability to write for both academic and practitioner audiences.
• Effective communication and leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and judgment.
• Proficiency in data analysis software such as R, Python, or Stata, and in database development.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in local fiscal policy design and assessment administration.

Responsibilities

• Conduct empirical research on property tax administration, valuation, and design.
• Develop and document public data products, including extensions to existing Lincoln databases.
• Produce practitioner-relevant guidance in collaboration with assessment and policy experts.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and open-access formats.
• Represent the organization at high-level professional and academic engagements.
• Contribute to proposal development for new initiatives and collaborate with state and local government partners.
• Contribute to organizational strategy through cross-functional collaboration.
• Identify opportunities for Lincoln’s future research agenda and participate in program development and strategic planning activities for the Fiscal Systems impact area.

Benefits

• Employer retirement contribution matching employee contributions up to 15%, at three times the employee contribution.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Full reimbursement of the health care deductible through a health reimbursement account.
• Short-term disability coverage.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Paid parental leave.
• Voluntary insurance options, including accident insurance.
• Health care flexible spending account.
• Dependent care flexible spending account.
• Paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty.
• Office closure between December 24 and January 1 each calendar year.
• Flexible schedule and option for a compressed four-day workweek.
• Tuition and staff development reimbursement.
• Pet insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree