[Jobs] Fwd: Pew Charitable Trusts hiring researchers

[Leora Lawton]

*From:* Heather Creek [mailto:hcreek at pewtrusts.org]
*Sent:* Wednesday, February 07, 2018 9:45 AM

The Pew Charitable Trusts is searching for two researchers to join our new
project on student loan research in our Washington, DC office. This would
be a great fit for someone with an education policy background and
experience with survey design and analysis and qualitative data collection.
This is a new initiative so there is a lot of opportunity to get creative
in the research design and strategy. I’m not the hiring manager, but I work
closely with this project and would like to have great colleagues join the
team.  Feel free to send me questions.



The Student Loan Research project will provide research and analysis that
will inform the public and the policy process on the challenges of two
issues: default on student loans and veterans’ higher education debt. Apply
at the links below.

Officer, Student Loan Research
<https://jobs-pct.icims.com/jobs/5311/officer%2c-student-loan-research/job>

Senior Associate, Student Loan Research
<https://jobs-pct.icims.com/jobs/5310/senior-associate%2c-student-loan-research/job>





Best,

Heather



*Heather Creek, Ph.D. *

Officer, Survey Research

Research Review & Support

The Pew Charitable Trusts

901 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
<https://maps.google.com/?q=901+E+Street,+NW,+Washington,+DC+20004&entry=gmail&source=g>

*p:* 202-540-6667 <(202)%20540-6667> | *e:*  hcreek at pewtrusts.org |
www.pewtrusts.org


 Officer, Student Loan Research



*Project Overview: *
The student loan research project is a new project slated for launch in
January 2018. This project will be housed in the Research and Science unit
and led by the director of Pew’s fiscal federalism initiatives. It will
provide research and analysis that will inform the public and the policy
process on the challenges of two issues: default on student loans and
veterans’ higher education debt. The project will use a variety of
methodologies including survey research, focus groups, and analysis of
existing data sets. In addition, it will have a robust outreach strategy
that includes hosting convenings of major stakeholders, media outreach, and
partnerships in the larger higher education, student loans, and veterans’
research communities.



*Position Overview:*
The officer will work with the initiative’s senior manager and director to
develop and implement the project’s research agenda. This includes doing
independent research as well as guiding teams of researchers; authoring and
co-authoring research papers, issue briefs, and other materials; providing
leadership and guidance for and critically reviewing all project research
products; overseeing contracts; helping implement the initiative’s
communications and outreach strategy, which includes serving as a
spokesperson when appropriate; and presenting research findings at
conferences and in other appropriate venues.



The officer will be based in Pew’s Washington, DC office, report to the
senior manager, and work closely with team members as well as other Pew
colleagues in communications, research review and support, government
relations, human resources, legal, and other areas. The position has a set
time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program,
funding sources, and board decisions on continued support.

*Responsibilities*

Research

   - Working with the senior manager and director, develop and lead a
   higher education- and student loan-related research agenda implemented
   through a combination of internal original research and research contracts.
   Such research may involve developing or collecting original data through
   focus groups, in-depth interviews, and surveys; creation of research
   databases from existing sources; and analysis of existing data sets.
   - Based on the initiative’s goals, create and maintain a prioritized
   list of research projects and design a research agenda with timelines and
   strategies to achieve the goals.
   - Execute the research including authoring, co-authoring, and/or guiding
   major research reports and issue briefs and/or contracting with outside
   experts.
   - Identify and explore additional research, presentation, and
   partnership opportunities that will further illuminate higher
   education-related topics of interest for key audiences and fit
   strategically into the overall portfolio.
   - Ensure work is methodologically sound and responds to relevant and
   timely policy questions. Critically review research methodologies and
   fact-check materials produced by contractors and other staff. Manage the
   external peer review process and internal review process for project
   deliverables.
   - Ensure that all products and presentations are clear, accessible, and
   compelling for a policymaker and public audience and maintain the academic
   rigor for an audience of experts.
   - Identify appropriate researchers and experts for research contracts;
   evaluate proposals for research contracts; execute contracts; and monitor
   progress to ensure products are high quality, use rigorous analysis, meet
   the contract's objectives, and are delivered on time and within budget.

Outreach/Other

   - Work with the senior manager to develop and execute the initiative’s
   communications and outreach strategy. Collaborate with communications,
   government relations, and other departments to prepare materials for target
   audiences and identify opportunities to engage policy makers and other
   stakeholders and highlight the initiative’s research. Assist with drafting
   documents regarding the initiative’s research including outreach plans,
   fact sheets, press releases, executive summaries, etc.
   - Help build and maintain a network of private sector, state, and
   federal experts for the initiative.
   - Support team-sponsored convenings of stakeholders, experts, and the
   public—including agenda development, conducting background research,
   securing speakers and experts, and preparing materials for briefings and
   events.
   - Cultivate and maintain a broad knowledge of relevant higher education
   policy discussions and research methodologies and practices. Be aware of
   relevant governmental and private sector developments in the field through
   systematic literature reviews, original research, and policy analysis of
   emerging issues, including staying current on legislative proposals before
   Congress and administrative and regulatory actions by the Executive branch.
   - Represent the initiative publicly at relevant conferences, seminars,
   and other external events, presenting and helping to disseminate the
   initiative’s research.
   - Serve as a spokesperson to the media on the initiative's research,
   providing interviews for print, television, social media, and radio as
   appropriate.
   - Participate with Pew colleagues on collaborative work and work with
   management on development of new research proposals, particularly with
   regard to this line of work.
   - Contribute to and participate in tasks of the initiative and the unit
   as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide projects as needed.

*Requirements*

   - Bachelor’s degree required. An advanced degree with a significant
   research focus in public policy, public administration, or economics
   preferred.
   - Minimum of eight years of work experience – with a substantial amount
   of time and focus spent on higher education or related issues – is
   required. Experience at federal level and with federal higher education
   programs a plus. An understanding of student loans and/or veterans’ higher
   education issues a plus.
   - Strong research, analytical and quantitative skills. Proficiency with
   Microsoft Excel; and expertise in at least one statistical software program
   (e.g., Stata, R, SPSS) required. Proficiency with data visualization
   software (e.g. Tableau) a plus.
   - Familiarity with major data sets related to student loans (e.g.
   NPSAS), and with survey design and execution strongly preferred.
   - Experience designing, conducting, managing, and analyzing qualitative
   research projects (e.g. focus groups, in-depth interviews) preferred.
   - Demonstrated ability to manage complex research projects and lead
   teams of researchers.
   - Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ability
   to synthesize issues and research findings clearly and effectively and
   translate complex concepts for a policymaking audience. Ability to write
   quickly and succinctly as well as to revise and edit based on input from a
   range of reviewers.
   - Strong interpersonal skills. Able to develop and manage productive and
   collaborative relationships both internally and externally.
   - Ability to meet both individual and team goals in a professional and
   timely manner.
   - Proven ability to operate as a team player, think strategically and
   creatively, adjust to changing circumstances, organize time efficiently,
   meet multiple deadlines while remaining attentive to details, and support
   others to do the same.
   - Strong political awareness, with a non-partisan perspective and
   approach.
   - Ability to fit into a creative, fast-paced, and highly professional
   culture which emphasizes excellence, collegiality and teamwork.
   - Commitment to non-partisan research.

*Travel:*

Occasional travel to relevant national/regional conferences and for
outreach to external audiences to promote the initiative’s work.



*Compensation:*
As this is a full-time position, we offer a competitive salary and complete
benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through
medical, dental and vision coverage; financial security with life and
disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and
flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the
future; and work/life benefits to help you maintain a good balance.



The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a
diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for
employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability,
marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran
status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
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