What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate - WFD position at Optimal Solutions Group?
Optimal Solutions Group has an opening for a Research Associate in its Workforce Development and Social Policy (WDSP) Research Center. Optimal’s WDSP Research Center conduct complex evaluation and policy projects for the U.S. Small Business Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as foundation-sponsored research.
The responsibilities of the Research Associate include providing subject area expertise; leading study design, data analyses, data collection, and other project tasks; writing sections of reports; and presenting results to technical and non-technical audiences. Optimal is especially interested in individuals with interest in and experience with projects related to entrepreneurship and business support ecosystem development. Candidates familiar with industry and innovation clusters, small business support services, and manufacturing support are especially encouraged to apply.
Requirements and Qualifications:
Extensive knowledge of the U.S. labor market policy, industrial and labor relations, and labor regulations.
• Experience conducting complex analyses of entrepreneurship or workforce development programs.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and econometric abilities
• Strong data management skills, including data manipulations, linking across datasets in different units of analysis, techniques to resolve outlier problems.
• Experience with state or federal labor and business statistics, concepts, and data.
• Experience with statistics and programming with statistical packages (such as R or STATA).
• Demonstrated problem solving skills.
• Able to effectively communicate problems and results, orally and in writing.
• Able to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Self-motivated and interested in data-driven public policy analysis; and
• A strong commitment to professional development.
Education and Experience:
Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, Political Science, or other related field. Alternatively, Master degree in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, Political Science, or other related field plus at least 3 years of relevant experience.
To Apply: If you meet the requirements and qualifications listed above, please send your cover letter and resume with RASSOC-WD in the subject line.
