Principal Research Associate, Income & Benefits Policy

Urban Institute•The Urban Institute (DC), DC

4d•$139,582 - $244,269

About The Position

This role involves conducting social policy research using various methods, providing expertise on food insecurity, and analyzing survey and program data. The position requires authoring reports and presenting findings. It also includes serving as a technical advisor and project director for food security measurement, managing project budgets, workplans, deliverables, and staffing, supervising teams, and communicating with stakeholders and funders. Additionally, the role contributes to developing research ideas, leading proposals for new projects and funding, and training staff.

Requirements

Possess a graduate degree (master’s degree or PhD), or equivalent, in a field related to social science (e.g. public policy, political science, sociology, or economics).
Have at least 10 years (with a master’s degree) or at least 8 years (with a PhD) of professional work experience in the area of social policy research, including leading research projects and teams.
Have demonstrated knowledge of food security measurement, including the underlying research science, and extensive experience with food security data analysis.
Have a track record of publishing on food security measurement and analysis in peer-reviewed journals.
Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to researchers and to other stakeholders on food security measurement and analysis.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically about a research agenda and interact with staff at all levels.
Be detailed-oriented and self-motivated with the ability to work on multiple priorities, work independently and as part of a team, and communicate effectively.
Have excellent organization skills.
Exhibit strong analytical and quantitative research skills, including prior experience with SAS, R, or similar software.
Show outstanding writing and presentation ability.
Have prior experience supervising staff.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with Current Population Survey or American Community Survey-based modeling is a plus.
Prior research proposal development and fundraising experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Conduct social policy research, using a variety of research methods.
Provide subject matter expertise and technical assistance to researchers, policymakers, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders working to understand the extent of food insecurity and its causes and consequences.
Bring in-depth knowledge of methods and limitations for the analysis of survey data and program administrative data.
Author reports and present data and findings to internal and external audiences.
Serve as the primary technical advisor and research project director related to food security measurement.
Ensure the successful completion of projects, including overseeing project budgets, workplans, deliverables, and staffing.
Supervise project teams and early career staff.
Communicate with external stakeholders and funders.
Contribute to the development of research ideas.
Contribute to and lead proposals for new research projects and funding.
Train and contribute to the development of early and mid-career staff.

Benefits

Generous paid time off
Nine federal holidays
Medical (including prescription) insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Transit benefits
403(b) retirement plan participation immediately
Generous employer contribution to 403(b) after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting
Health advocate
Personal finance coaching
Employee Assistance Program
Educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs