Research Assistant Professor of Education Policy

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Assistant Professor is a 9-month, non-tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Education Reform. The role advances rigorous, policy-relevant research across multiple projects, many in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education. Research topics may include the educator workforce, school finance, school choice, and career and technical education.

The position contributes to empirical research using large-scale administrative datasets and data collected through surveys and interviews. Work includes collecting primary data, managing and analyzing complex datasets, and writing and editing academic journal articles, technical reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other research products. Additional responsibilities may include creating data visualizations, supporting stakeholder outreach, coordinating with research partners, and assisting with grant proposals and new research initiatives.

This is an in-person position. On-campus presence is an essential function, including in-person engagement through activities such as office hours, student advising, collaborative work, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings. Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and the ability to maintain collegial working relationships are essential job duties.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or a related field from an accredited institution, conferred by the start of employment.
• Ability to work in person on campus; on-campus presence is an essential function of the position.
• Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the U.S. education system.
• Experience managing and analyzing large, complex datasets.
• Demonstrated expertise in applied econometrics, causal inference, and quantitative research methods.
• Demonstrated ability to produce research papers, reports, and presentations on education issues using quantitative analysis.
• Proficiency with statistical software and programming tools such as Stata, R, and Python.
• Experience developing data visualizations, dashboards, or other tools that make complex data accessible to research, policy, or practitioner audiences.
• Strong research writing and communication skills, including experience producing policy briefs, technical reports, and academic publications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects.

Responsibilities

• Support multiple policy-relevant research projects, many in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education.
• Conduct empirical research using large-scale administrative datasets and data collected through surveys and interviews.
• Collect primary data and manage and analyze complex datasets.
• Write and edit academic journal articles, technical reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other research products.
• Develop data visualizations as needed.
• Support stakeholder outreach and coordinate with research partners.
• Assist with grant proposals and new research initiatives.
• Participate in in-person activities such as office hours, student advising, collaborative work, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings.
• Maintain regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and collegial working relationships.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree