Senior Research Associate - PEER Center

American University • Washington, DC

97d • $90,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The School of Public Affairs at American University is seeking applications for a full-time senior research associate (who would be appointed at the rank of Research Assistant Professor) to begin in December 2025 or earlier, as possible. The Senior Research Associate will conduct rigorous and timely policy research and analyses to support the work of the Postsecondary Education & Economics Research (PEER) Center. The PEER Center, led by Professors Jordan Matsudaira at SPA and Stephanie Cellini at George Washington University, generates actionable research to promote more equitable outcomes in education beyond high school. The PEER Center also works to train higher education researchers to more effectively engage with and impact state and federal policy. PEER Center staff engage in rigorous research related to postsecondary costs and finance, accountability, value, and student success; and engage in efforts to connect this work directly to the policymaking process. The Senior Research Associate will conduct and help to manage long-term, publishable research projects for the Center, working with data such as state and federal administrative data.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in economics, public policy, or a related field.
• Relevant work experience in federal and/or state higher education policy.
• Successful track record of empirical analysis with demonstrated data skills.
• Familiarity with higher education and workforce data and research.
• Quantitative methods for policy analysis (including Stata and/or R).
• Strong communication and writing skills.
• Experience managing research projects.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working on policy-relevant topics in higher education, labor economics, or related areas.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous and timely policy research and analyses.
• Support the work of the Postsecondary Education & Economics Research (PEER) Center.
• Manage long-term, publishable research projects.
• Work with state and federal administrative data.
• Engage in research related to postsecondary costs and finance, accountability, value, and student success.
• Connect research work directly to the policymaking process.

Benefits

• 200% matching retirement plan.
• Tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families.
• Several leadership development certificates.
• Recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite.

What This Job Offers

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