Senior Researcher, Social Mobility and Family Policy

Job Type:

Diversity at RAND

Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential operating principles at RAND. We are committed to maintaining a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff, where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. This commitment is guided by an organization-wide framework for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and paired with significant investments to sustain and center these principles in leadership, research, and community and stakeholder engagement. An advisory council comprised of staff at all levels provides critical feedback and perspective on the organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion plans and activities. Employee Resource Groups are staff-driven grassroots communities that seek to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at RAND by facilitating community, connection, and a greater sense of belonging and well-being among colleagues. In our recruitment and retention efforts, we seek unique backgrounds, original views, and diversity in academic training, work experience, and ideological outlook.

Position Description

RAND is seeking a senior researcher with strong substantive background and methodological skills to conduct research and to lead business development and outreach for RAND's priority in social mobility and family policy. Key areas of expertise include economic mobility, social safety net programs, human services policy including financing of such programs, understanding of the intersection of federal, state and local efforts on behalf of families, and the role of the private sector in family policy. Researchers at RAND work on collaborative research teams, producing objective, scientific analyses in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports to guide policymakers on a diverse set of issues. These diverse, multidisciplinary teams include policy researchers, economists, psychologists, statisticians, social scientists, and others with relevant training. Researchers apply rigorous, empirical research designs to analyze policy issues and evaluate programs.

Staff members have opportunities to teach in the Pardee RAND Graduate School and to collaborate on projects across various research topics including health, education, education, labor, social and economic wellbeing, national security, and homeland security.

Specializations of interest include:

• The structure and financing of social safety net programs

• The design and evaluation of family support systems

• The role of public-private collaborations in supporting families

• Policies designed to support economic mobility at both household and community levels

• Child and youth development and social progress, in the context of changing economic and technological conditions

• Issues of social equity, including economic, gender, racial, and regional equity

Qualifications

All research positions at RAND require strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills, strong analytic skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, an interest in building a policy research portfolio, the ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

In addition, senior researchers are expected to conceptualize research studies, obtain extramural funding, to mentor and develop junior staff members, lead and direct multi-disciplinary teams, set project standards and monitor progress, and communicate interim and final results to the RAND community and to policy-making audiences. 

Education Requirements

Ph.D. in economics, sociology, public policy, psychology or related fields with 8 years experience and demonstrable research leadership; or Master's degree with 13+ years experience and demonstra