Education Policy Researcher

Job Type:

Position Description

RAND's Economics, Sociology and Statistics (ESS) department is seeking talented Education Policy Researchers to contribute to impactful research on career and technical education (CTE) and education-to-workforce transitions. RAND researchers lead and contribute to projects that deliver objective, rigorous evidence to inform policymakers, state education agencies, federal agencies, and funders. CTE and education-to-workforce researchers in ESS work on multidisciplinary teams to analyze how secondary CTE programs shape students' postsecondary and labor market outcomes. Active projects include multi-year state CTE alignment studies and program evaluations supported by funders such as Arnold Ventures and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Researchers in this area work extensively with state administrative data that links K-12 records with postsecondary enrollment and workforce wage data.

Why RAND?

· Reputation for Excellence: Be part of a non-profit, non-partisan organization renowned for its rigorous and objective research.

· Dynamic Opportunities: Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams on diverse projects that challenge and expand your skills.

· Poised for Impact: Your research will inform state policymakers, legislators, and national stakeholders working to strengthen pathways from education to careers.

Responsibilities:

Education Policy Researchers at RAND apply their analytical and substantive expertise to:

• Design and execute rigorous empirical research studies on high school to postsecondary and workforce transitions.
• Link and analyze state administrative datasets spanning K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems to track student pathways longitudinally.
• Apply causal inference and other advanced quantitative methods to evaluate programs on education to postsecondary and workforce transitions.
• Use cutting edge technologies like AI/ML responsibly to improve quality and efficiency
• Communicate findings to policy audiences through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations to state agency partners and funders.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing and cultivating relationships with state agencies, IES, and private funders.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment.

Qualifications

All research positions at RAND require:

• Demonstrated training in quantitative research methods
• Strong analytic skills and intellectual curiosity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• The ability to work effectively as a member of inclusive, multidisciplinary teams
• A strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity

Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following content areas:

• Career and technical education (CTE) policy, program design, or evaluation
• Secondary and postsecondary education policy and student outcomes
• Education-to-workforce transitions, including postsecondary enrollment, credential attainment, and labor market entry
• State longitudinal data systems (SLDS) linking K-12, postsecondary, and workforce administrative records
• Labor market analysis, workforce development policy, or occupational supply-demand dynamics

Applicants must have demonstrated quantitative research skills, including experience with two or more of the following:

• Causal inference methods (e.g., difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, matching)
• Analysis of linked administrative data across K-12, postsecondary, and/or state workforce agencies
• Multi-level or longitudinal statistical modeling
• Machine learning or data science methods applied to large-scale education or workforce data

Experience

Successful applicants will present strong evidence of research experience, demonstrated through authorship of academic publications, conference presentations, or prior professional reports. Experience working directly with state education or workforce agencies, or on externally funded research grants, is highly valued. The ability to conceptualize new research studies, contribute to proposals, and communicate findings to non-technical policy audiences is expected.

Education Requirements

The preferred candidate will have a PhD in economics, policy analysis, statistics, sociology, or a closely related field. Applicants should be currently completing a PhD or have 1 to 4 years of post-graduate experience in a research setting.

Location

Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA

Application Materials

A CV, cover letter, and peer-reviewed writing sample (pdf documents preferred) are required when applying. Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation, which can be emailed to essrecruit@rand.org.

Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications. A writing sample of 3 pages or more is required when applying for this position. Applicants are encouraged to use recent research published in academic journals, conference proceedings, or research reports. Note that applicants invited to interview will be required to present a seminar describing recent research.

Salary Range: $110,900 - $211,700

Associate Researcher: $110,900 - $180,300

Full Researcher: $126,400 - $211,700

Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the ranges shown.

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment as an Associate or Full Researcher, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Application Deadline

This notice will be open until November 16, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer