Specialist - Research-Fixed Term

About the position The Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) at Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking a research specialist to join EPIC leadership to work on externally-funded multi-year projects. EPIC is a policy lab located within the College of Education. EPIC partners with state and local education leaders to produce rigorous and objective multi-method research with consequence that strengthens evidence-based decision-making for practice and policy in Michigan, with implications for historically underserved students throughout the country. The research specialist will join the EPIC team in a leadership role to work on one or more externally-funded EPIC research projects. The EPIC team includes Dr. Madeline Mavrogordato, Faculty Director, Emily Mohr, Managing Director, Dr. Tara Kilbride, Associate Director, postdoctoral researchers, research staff, affiliated faculty, and doctoral students. The research specialist will oversee doctoral research assistants and collaborate with EPIC staff to ensure all research products are timely, accurate, and actionable. We are seeking a person who is excited to be a member of a dynamic and motivated group, and who is driven by a desire to produce both rigorous and policy-relevant research aimed at driving improvements for Michigan students. The position, which includes benefits, is a fixed term annual, 100% time position beginning January 5, 2026 with the potential for annual renewals in the College of Education.

Responsibilities

• Leading center-wide, partner-driven research projects that examine the impact of policies and programs using large-scale longitudinal administrative data from the State of Michigan, as well as survey and interview data collected by EPIC
• Acting as a representative of EPIC and MSU to research partners at state agencies, local school districts, and education organizations.
• Providing expertise in quantitative methodologies that includes substantial experience conducting statistical/econometric analysis and quasi-experimental design using panel data in STATA
• Writing, editing, and guiding the development of clear and concise publications, including manuscripts for academic journal articles, stakeholder-facing research reports and policy briefs, and presentation materials appropriate for both academic and general audiences.
• Providing oversight, mentoring, training, and professional development to other EPIC researchers
• Responding to ad hoc data and analysis requests, both internal and external
• Representing EPIC by fielding media requests and conducting interviews.
• Giving presentations to academic and policy stakeholder audiences.
• Assisting with the development of grant proposals
• Producing data summaries, tables and visualizations.
• Other duties as appropriate based on the specific interests and expertise of the selected candidate.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in education, public policy, economics, statistics, social science or a similar field
• Significant expertise with STATA statistical software.
• Expertise in standard econometric models and techniques.
• Experience with large-scale quantitative data management and analysis.
• Experience planning and executing quality assurance on complex analyses using large-scale data sets.
• Demonstrated knowledge and interest in partner-orientated education research.
• Extreme attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities with little supervision, as well as maintain flexibility.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Research project management experience, including developing and maintaining project timelines with contingency plans, supervising and coordinating the work of others and ensuring project deliverables are met to a high standard for quality and accuracy.
• Experience with data collection and analysis activities across a large team.
• Experience presenting research products to a wide variety of audiences.

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