Research Associate at Education Analytics

Description
Education Analytics (EA) is a non-profit organization that uses data analysis to inform education policy and management decisions. We work with school districts, regional offices of education, non-profits, and policymakers to identify ways to make education systems better.  We are seeking a full-time Research Associate to provide quantitative research support to our team of Research Scientists.  Research Associate tasks may include data preparation and analysis (e.g., data extraction and merging, summary statistics, regression analysis, and interpretation of statistical evidence); support for advanced modeling and simulations; statistical programming; and contributing to the writing and preparation of draft documents and presentations. The Research Associate may have the opportunity to co-author reports and journal articles.
If you are looking to really dig into data and apply cutting-edge statistics to address critical problems impacting the lives of millions of students across the country, we encourage you to apply. We are looking for passionate, budding researchers who view every challenge not as a roadblock but as an opportunity to do something innovative and exciting to transform the U.S. education system.
Specific Research Associate Responsibilities
Main responsibility:
Working with EA researchers to explore and refine innovative statistical methods for education policy and management applications that may include, but are not limited to, the following approaches: linear and nonlinear regression methods, Bayesian methods, propensity score matching, and multilevel/hierarchical linear modeling 
Other responsibilities may include:
Collaborating with programmers to implement statistical models for external partners and projects  Contributing text to technical memos, policy briefs, partner reports, and grant proposals, for a variety of technical and non-technical audiences Assisting in writing research-oriented documents, including conference papers and presentations, academic journal articles, working papers, and technical documentation 
Skills and Experience
Required: Bachelor’s degree in a statistically focused field (e.g., Economics, Statistics, or Data Science) from a four-year college or university  Preferred: Two years of professional experience in an academic, non-profit, corporate, or other research-focused setting; and/or graduate training (e.g., master’s degree, PhD coursework, or ABD) in economics, statistics, data science or a related field  Understanding of and interest in quantitative methods—especially statistical or econometric models—for studying individual decision-making and/or evaluating public policy and programs Proficient with at least one statistical software program (e.g. R, STATA, SAS) is required; familiarity with R is preferred Strong problem-solving and systems-thinking skills Strong attention to detail Solid written and verbal communication skills Desire to work in a team environment at a fast-growing, fast-paced nonprofit  Interest in improving and supporting U.S. K-12 public education through data analysis  
Benefits
Salary starting at $60,000Annual merit bonuses 9 paid holidays of your choosing and 26.5 days of paid vacation per year  Generous 401k and health benefits Free Madison Metro transit pass or subsidized office parking (if space is available) Casual office environment Location right in the heart of downtown Madison, Wisconsin 
Location
Located in or open to relocating to Madison at some point (timeline open given COVID-19 uncertainty).
Education Analytics is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.We want to let candidates know that EA is a federal contractor with over 50 employees. As the situation has evolved with federal requirements, we now require vaccinations for all employees. Medical and Religious accommodations will be granted where they do not cause Education Analytics undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others. Keep this requirement in mind and please reach out if you have any questions or would like to request accommodation.