Senior Research Fellow, Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions

University of Denver•Denver, CO

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions (CHRIS) at the University of Denver is an interdisciplinary hub for housing research, data, policy evaluation, and education. CHRIS produces rigorous, nonpartisan research on housing production, affordability, and resilience, applying innovative methods and technologies. The center translates evidence into practical solutions for policymakers and communities, and advances future housing leaders through training and education. CHRIS partners with various sectors to evaluate housing policies and analyze market dynamics. The Senior Research Fellow will serve as a senior applied researcher and strategic thought partner to the Executive Director, helping to shape the research agenda, develop partnerships and funding, and lead policy-relevant research. The fellow will lead applied research on sponsored projects, develop new research and funding opportunities, and build CHRIS's capacity for both long-term research and timely analysis. Initially, the Fellow will support sponsored research, grant development, market analysis, policy evaluation, and external engagement. As CHRIS grows, the Fellow is expected to provide leadership in housing market analysis, development feasibility, financing, and policy simulation. This is a one-year, fixed-term position with the potential for extension, suited for a senior researcher with substantial experience in applied economic analysis and quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method research in housing policy and practice.

Requirements

PhD in economics, public policy, or a related field; or an advanced professional degree (JD, MBA, or related master’s degree) combined with substantial senior-level research and policy experience.
10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in applied housing policy research, economics, or related fields, including senior-level roles in government, consulting, or research settings.
Demonstrated track record of rigorous, applied research using quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed method approaches.
Experience translating research and data analysis into practical tools, policy recommendations, or financing mechanisms for policymakers, industry leaders and practitioners.
Experience supporting grant-funded research and/or fundraising for research or policy initiatives.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate complex economic analysis for policymakers, practitioners, and general audiences.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with economic, demographic, and administrative data.
Strong grounding in rigorous research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed-method approaches.
Demonstrated experience applying research to inform policy and industry practice, including policy tools, financing mechanisms, or development strategy.
High standard of research integrity, professional judgment, and dependability.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple funded projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Track record of building relationships with government agencies, industry leaders, funders, and cross-sector partners.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision while collaborating effectively across an interdisciplinary team.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard analytical/statistical software.

Nice To Haves

Deep knowledge of Colorado’s housing market and policy landscape.
Experience in land use, zoning, property taxation, or housing finance policy.
Working proficiency in econometric, statistical, or qualitative analysis software (e.g., Python, R, Stata, NVivo, EViews) and/or GIS and data visualization tools.
Experience with development feasibility analysis, pro-forma modeling, or capital stack and financing structure design for housing development.
Experience presenting research findings to policymakers and industry groups, and in legislative and regulatory settings.
Experience managing or contributing to public-sector economic forecasting or fiscal analysis.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and contribute to the development of CHRIS’s research agenda, partnerships, strategy, and organizational development.
Lead rigorous, applied, and policy-relevant research on housing supply, affordability, access, and the regulatory, economic, demographic, and financial factors that shape housing markets, using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches.
Translate economic, demographic, administrative, financial and market data into practical tools, financing mechanisms, and evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders and practitioners.
Lead and support research and analysis examining housing supply and demand, rents and prices, household formation, vacancy rates, construction and permitting activity, financing conditions, and the distributional effects of housing scarcity.
Support development of recurring reports, dashboards, datasets, and other regional data infrastructure to improve housing market analysis and decision-making across Colorado and the region.
Lead development feasibility, pro-forma, financing, and scenario analysis examining how market conditions, land use regulations, building codes, permitting processes, taxes, fees, subsidies and financing structures affect housing production and affordability.
Play an active role in developing grant proposals and funding pitches.
Help cultivate and maintain relationships with funders and research partners to grow CHRISs grant-funded research pipeline.
Partner with the CHRIS Housing Economist, future Research Director, and affiliated faculty and researchers across the University of Denver and partner institutions to design and execute interdisciplinary housing research projects.
Represent CHRIS in public forums, industry and academic conferences, policy discussions, and media.
Author research reports, policy briefs, white papers, and other publications.
Translate CHRISs research for policymakers, industry leaders and practitioners.
Provide project-specific mentorship and guidance to CHRISs graduate research assistants and junior research staff.
Guest lecture or co-teach in the Executive Certificate in Affordable Housing or other CHRIS-affiliated programs, at extra compensation at DU adjunct rates.