Postdoctoral Associate: Quantitative Education Policy Research, Center for Antiracist Research

Tracking Code23599931500126Job Description

The Racial Policy Tracker (RPT) is one tool that the Center for Antiracist Research uses to promote antiracist policy change. The RPT collects information about racist policies and antiracist solutions in order to support organizing efforts across the country. Each RPT project focuses on a key issue area and includes: existing policies, proposed solutions, narratives from directly impacted people, data analyses/visualizations, and a policy product (such as model legislation, toolkit, white paper, report, briefing, etc). We are currently pursuing pilot projects addressing criminalization, the social safety net, reparations, higher education, and youth justice. The Postdoctoral Associate will manage the higher education Racial Policy Tracker, which will focus on policies related to student loan debt forgiveness. The Associate will work with the Principal Investigator (Professor Jerry Whitmore) and community partners to: (1) identify specific policies to track; (2) co-design and conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research; (3) draft ultimate policy products; and (4) design the project webpage. At the discretion of the PI, the Postdoctoral Associate, and relevant community partners, this project may also involve writing scholarship, op eds, or other narrative products.

We are looking for individuals with robust quantitative research skills. Various aspects of the project will require expertise in creating databases from existing files, handling census data, possessing psychometric knowledge for surveys, conducting factor analysis, principal component analysis, item-response theory, and survey weights. Additionally, preferred candidates should demonstrate proficiency in rigorous quantitative analysis of large-scale cross-sectional and longitudinal panel datasets, with a solid understanding of causal inference, systematic reviews, and the application of robust variance estimation techniques in meta-analysis.

Required Skills

Qualifications Required:

• PhD in education, public policy, economics, developmental psychology, or a related field is required
• Demonstrated commitment to antiracism and interest in antiracist policymaking;
• Project management experience;
• Experience with social science research methods;
• Ability to track and adhere to multiple deadlines;
• Can work both independently and in a collegial and cooperative manner with the faculty supervisor and other team members;
• Quantitative or mixed-methods training;
• Proficient in programming;
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Familiarity with policies related to higher education

Candidates interested in pursuing this opportunity should send a cover letter and CV/resume directly to the Center of Antiracist Research at antiracistcenter@bu.edu.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Job LocationBOSTON, Massachusetts, United StatesPosition TypeFull-Time/Regular