Research Analyst (Office of Race and Equity Research)

About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity. For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The Office of Race and Equity Research is an interdisciplinary hub for innovation in research, policy, and practice to drive equitable outcomes. The Office provides research, advisory services, thought partnership, and technical assistance for a wide range of changemakers, including front-line practitioners, advocacy partners, and public officials at all levels of government. The Office also develops catalytic initiatives and builds capacity at Urban and across the field for race and equity research that meets high standards for excellence, accessibility, and policy relevance. To this end, the Office of Race and Equity Research helps researchers partner with communities to elevate lived experience as a vital source of knowledge and authority (via the Community Engagement Resource Center); draw on innovations in data science to measure equity (via the Racial Equity Analytics Lab), design more equitable policies and evaluate their impact; and hold institutions accountable for achieving equity goals.

ORER is looking to bring on a research analyst to help advance our research agenda focused on examining policy solutions to advance equity across different fields, such as wealth building, automated systems, and broader policy design and implementation. The research analyst is responsible for assisting senior researchers and project teams in successfully executing defined research tasks.

The research analyst role is open for in-office, hybrid, or remote candidates.

Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2024. Candidates proceeding to phone screens will be contacted by October 14, 2024

What You’ll Do:

• Contribute to the design of research projects, including the advancement of conceptual and analytical frameworks for examining structural racism and racial equity, and other forms of structural disadvantage. Contribute to evaluating programs and policies.

• Communicate with policymakers, government officials, researchers, and advocates to learn about their efforts to advance racial equity.

• Compile and analyze data, literature and other background research to produce literature reviews. Conduct fieldwork (such as interviews), manage data, and use statistical software programs for data processing and analysis.

• Write first drafts of reports, policy briefs, and other publications to disseminate findings from research projects. Produce related tables, charts, and maps.

• Contribute to and/or edit various publications for different audiences, including research reports, briefs, blogs, and other deliverables.

• Manage tasks and deadlines for multiple research projects (small and large), which includes working collaboratively with staff at all levels, troubleshooting potential issues, providing status updates and communicating potential roadblocks to project leadership.

• Complete administrative tasks for research projects, such as tracking project timelines, project reporting, taking and summarizing meeting minutes, and other tasks as assigned.

• Manage time independently and collaborate with teams within ORER and teams across Urban to prioritize and complete multiple tasks.

Who You Are:

Successful candidates will have:

• Have a commitment to social justice and to developing evidence-based strategies to dismantle racist, ableist and sexist institutions and structures

• Possess academic knowledge of and research experience in a discipline that is generally associated with the attainment of a bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of related professional experience OR master's degree in public policy, economics, political science, sociology, history, ethnic studies or something with a comparably relevant focus, including familiarity with related equity literature

• Possess a self-starter mentality, able to quickly relate to and communicate with senior level leaders in different fields and government leaders, elected and appointed.

• Demonstrate understanding of government structures and processes

• Have experience conducting social science or public policy research and/or analysis

• Possess high quality oral and written presentation skills.

• Demonstrate strong project management and collaboration skills and experience working on teams

• Interest in data and data equity a plus, but not essential

• Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative data collection activities and analysis is preferred, but not essential. Example experience can include focus groups, qualitative data coding, descriptive statistics, predictive statistics and analytics, using STATA, R, or similar software programs, etc.

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The target salary range for this position is Min $52,112 - Mid $69,247 - Max $85,672 Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].  Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.