Research Scientist

Position Title: Research Scientist

Department: 9261|Kathleen B Blanco Public Policy Ctr

Responsibilities:

The Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is an independent, interdisciplinary research center and archive engaged in research across a range of topics in public policy. Our core policy areas of focus include education, poverty and economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, health and healthcare, the coast and environment, and governmental ethics. In addition to a growing portfolio of research initiated by researchers at the Blanco Center, the Louisiana Legislature has designated the Blanco Center as the administrator of a new state administrative data center for longitudinal research called LA FIRST, which was established to support policy research in Louisiana.

To support this new initiative, the Blanco Center is hiring multiple full-time Research Scientists to lead development of policy reports using LA FIRST data. The Research Scientist must have training and experience in quantitative research and will design, plan and implement in-depth longitudinal studies with support from a staff of several researchers and data analysts. This position will prioritize candidates with subject matter expertise in the areas of labor economics; elementary, secondary and post-secondary education; and/or workforce research. The Research Scientist will work with Blanco Center leadership and agency stakeholders to identify specific areas of research to complete the Launch Louisiana Report, an in-depth analysis of transitions from elementary and secondary school to college or career. This report will be updated and expanded over time, producing both a broad understanding of the performance of Louisiana's education systems and more targeted analyses of specific programs or research questions. Successful implementation of this research program will produce high impact research to inform policy and real-world outcomes, which will also lead to a sustained pipeline of publications in academic journals to disseminate findings more broadly.

In addition to leading a major area of rigorous research within LA FIRST, the Research Scientist will also be responsible for effectively translating research findings for broad and varied audiences using a variety of deliverables including (but not limited to) policy reports and briefs, research papers, presentations, webinars, video recordings, and data dashboards. They will also supervise and train small research teams.

Essential functions:

* Holds primary responsibility for all aspects of management for research related to development of the Launch Louisiana Report including quality control.
* Manages the research staff assigned to work on related research. This oversight includes guiding the team's efforts to interpret data, write reports, make constructive recommendations, and identify places within the project where additional support from other staff is needed and request that support from the LA FIRST Director.
* Works with LA FIRST research staff to develop a research plan including timelines and major tasks necessary to complete deliverables, track progress, and ensure timely completion of major milestones and final deliverables.
* Contributes to LA FIRST and the Blanco Center as a thought leader, taking on a primary role in the design and completion of multiple lines of research related to LA FIRST's Launch Louisiana Report.
* Works with the LA FIRST Director and Blanco Center Executive Director to facilitate effective management of staffing and other Blanco Center resources between the Launch Louisiana Report and other Blanco Center research and activities.
* Works with other senior research staff to promote alignment between research supporting the Launch Louisiana Report and other Blanco Center research, creating a culture of collaboration both within the Blanco Center and with external collaborators and partners.
* Works with the LA FIRST Director and other senior staff researchers to develop and implement quality assurance and quality control processes and improve those over time to ensure high quality of research and other work products of the Blanco Center.
* Represents LA FIRST and the Blanco Center at meetings with external partners and stakeholders.
* Demonstrates project management experience including the ability to manage and direct technical aspects of a range of research projects.
* Effectively translates research findings for broad and varied audiences using a variety of deliverables including (but not limited to) policy briefs and papers, presentations, webinars, video recordings, and data dashboards.

Application Requirements:

All interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and three references.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

* PhD or other terminal degree in Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology or related field
* OR a graduate degree with a minimum of 7 years of work experience in social science research will substitute for the PhD requirement.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Demonstrated ability to lead independent research, exceptional written and oral communication skills, advanced analytical skills, and strong computer software skills (including by not limited to statistical software).
* Demonstrated record of creativity in problem solving.
* Demonstrated record of self-motivation and ability to work collaboratively in teams.
* Prior experience in project management with a high degree of competency in project management and creativity in problem solving.

Job Ad# (req2599)