Strategic Research Fellow for Return on Investment (ROI)
- University of North Carolina System
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- Job Number: 7270160
- Posting Date: Aug 5, 2024
- Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
Strategic Research Fellow for Return on Investment (ROI)
About the Opportunity
The primary goal of the Strategic Research Fellow for Return on Investment (ROI) is to leverage analytical expertise and rich postsecondary and wage data to inform the UNC System's efforts to measure and improve the value of degree programs and pathways across the System. The position will be housed in the Division of Strategy and Policy and will report to the Director of Data Analysis and Research. The research conducted by the Fellow will be guided by and informed by a steering committee of senior leaders across the UNC System Office. Research methods will vary by project, but may include descriptive statistics, data visualization, econometric models, quasi experimental and experimental designs, and other social science statistical methods.
The Strategic Research Fellow will work with UNC System Office staff and other partners to conduct research and examine policy questions emerging from the System's efforts to measure the ROI associated with particular degree and credential programs, including: analyses of variation in outcomes across programs, institutions, and student demographics; development and refinement of potential ROI metrics; and efforts to identify the impact of changes to practice and policy on student success in the labor market. Specifically, this fellow will leverage newly acquired unit record wage and employment data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to link postsecondary pathways through the UNC System to post enrollment and post-graduation outcomes, including developing approaches to measure the return on investment associated with particular pathways in the System. This work will include everything from data management (data joining and cleaning) to descriptive analysis to metric development to conducting research on postgraduate outcomes. Strong candidates will have demonstrated interest in post-graduation outcomes in higher education and return on investment of postsecondary credentials.
This is a two-year grant funded position, and the Fellow will be expected to live in the greater Research Triangle area during their fellowship. The UNC System Office is located in downtown Raleigh, and the position will have a hybrid work arrangement where the individual will be expected to work in the office on average three days a week. The Fellow will have the opportunity to publish results of research projects conditional on System Office review. The position will include funding to present research at least once per year at a relevant conference of the Fellow's choosing.
Responsibilities include:
Data processing, management, and analysis
• Collect, manipulate, merge, and manage unit-record data from the UNC System’s Student Datamart (postsecondary pathways) and the NC Department of Commerce (wages and employment)
• Conduct descriptive, correlational, causal, and econometric research
• Perform basic and complex social science statistical analyses
• Develop data visualizations to inform decision-making
Project management
• Planning data gathering and analysis
• Manage timelines and deliverables for multiple projects
• Assist with IRB research applications and data security agreements if required
• Work with research partners within the UNC System Office and constituent institutions to execute on research projects
Dissemination of results
• Drafting memos, presentations, briefs, and research papers
• Assist in creating web-based resources such as dashboards
• Present findings to a variety of audiences
About the UNC System Office
The UNC System Office includes the offices of the President and other senior administrators of the multi-campus University of North Carolina System. The UNC System is a treasured public institution dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina through world-class teaching, research, and community engagement. Today, nearly 250,000 students are enrolled in our 16 universities across the state and at the NC School of Science and Mathematics. System Office staff is responsible for executing the policies of the UNC Board of Governors and providing University-wide leadership in the areas of academic affairs, business and financial management, long-range planning, student affairs, research, legal affairs, and government relations. The UNC System Office also has administrative oversight of a number of University affiliates, including PBS North Carolina, the North Carolina Arboretum, the NC State Education Assistance Authority, and University of North Carolina Press.
About the Team
The Strategy and Policy division is charged with enhancing and furthering the UNC System's strategic goals. The division partners with the President and chancellors on System-wide strategic initiatives, is responsible for the institutional performance measurement framework, and serves as a higher-education policy expert to the President, the Board of Governors, and the NC General Assembly. The division also tracks and assesses state and national trends in higher education, and their likely impact on the UNC System, and proactively identifies new initiatives to support System strategies. The division also provides oversight of the University and P12 Partnerships unit as well as the GEAR UP Program.
Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Doctoral degree in economics, public policy, education, political science, or a relevant social science discipline, or on track to complete a relevant doctoral degree by June 2025.
Required Competencies
• Interest in post-graduation outcomes and return on investment research • Knowledge of social science research methods and concepts (regression, econometrics, quasi-experimental methods, data mining, etc.) • Attention to detail • Strong organizational skills • Ability to work both as part of a team and individually while meeting deadlines • Ability to multitask and prioritize between multiple projects and deadlines
Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
• Experience working with unit record wage data or on projects examining post-graduate economic outcomes or return on investment • Experience working on multiple phases of research projects (project and research question formation, data management, analysis, dissemination) • Experience with coding in at least one statistical package such as SAS/STATA (preferred), or R, Python, etc.) • Experience using educational data and understanding its limitations • Experience with large, complex datasets and merging disparate data sources • Knowledge of research and trends in the measurement and analysis of student success during (academic performance, retention, persistence, graduation) and after college attendance (labor market outcomes)
Classification: Research Professional
Appointment Type: Time Limited
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Employment Type: EHRA
EHRA Category: Exempt Professional Staff (EPS)
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Position Number: 20064589
Special instructions to applicants: The posting remains open until filled, but applications received by August 16, 2024 will receive priority consideration.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Information
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: [email protected].
To Apply, visit:
https://apptrkr.com/5491084
About the Opportunity
The primary goal of the Strategic Research Fellow for Return on Investment (ROI) is to leverage analytical expertise and rich postsecondary and wage data to inform the UNC System's efforts to measure and improve the value of degree programs and pathways across the System. The position will be housed in the Division of Strategy and Policy and will report to the Director of Data Analysis and Research. The research conducted by the Fellow will be guided by and informed by a steering committee of senior leaders across the UNC System Office. Research methods will vary by project, but may include descriptive statistics, data visualization, econometric models, quasi experimental and experimental designs, and other social science statistical methods.
The Strategic Research Fellow will work with UNC System Office staff and other partners to conduct research and examine policy questions emerging from the System's efforts to measure the ROI associated with particular degree and credential programs, including: analyses of variation in outcomes across programs, institutions, and student demographics; development and refinement of potential ROI metrics; and efforts to identify the impact of changes to practice and policy on student success in the labor market. Specifically, this fellow will leverage newly acquired unit record wage and employment data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to link postsecondary pathways through the UNC System to post enrollment and post-graduation outcomes, including developing approaches to measure the return on investment associated with particular pathways in the System. This work will include everything from data management (data joining and cleaning) to descriptive analysis to metric development to conducting research on postgraduate outcomes. Strong candidates will have demonstrated interest in post-graduation outcomes in higher education and return on investment of postsecondary credentials.
This is a two-year grant funded position, and the Fellow will be expected to live in the greater Research Triangle area during their fellowship. The UNC System Office is located in downtown Raleigh, and the position will have a hybrid work arrangement where the individual will be expected to work in the office on average three days a week. The Fellow will have the opportunity to publish results of research projects conditional on System Office review. The position will include funding to present research at least once per year at a relevant conference of the Fellow's choosing.
Responsibilities include:
Data processing, management, and analysis
• Collect, manipulate, merge, and manage unit-record data from the UNC System’s Student Datamart (postsecondary pathways) and the NC Department of Commerce (wages and employment)
• Conduct descriptive, correlational, causal, and econometric research
• Perform basic and complex social science statistical analyses
• Develop data visualizations to inform decision-making
Project management
• Planning data gathering and analysis
• Manage timelines and deliverables for multiple projects
• Assist with IRB research applications and data security agreements if required
• Work with research partners within the UNC System Office and constituent institutions to execute on research projects
Dissemination of results
• Drafting memos, presentations, briefs, and research papers
• Assist in creating web-based resources such as dashboards
• Present findings to a variety of audiences
About the UNC System Office
The UNC System Office includes the offices of the President and other senior administrators of the multi-campus University of North Carolina System. The UNC System is a treasured public institution dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina through world-class teaching, research, and community engagement. Today, nearly 250,000 students are enrolled in our 16 universities across the state and at the NC School of Science and Mathematics. System Office staff is responsible for executing the policies of the UNC Board of Governors and providing University-wide leadership in the areas of academic affairs, business and financial management, long-range planning, student affairs, research, legal affairs, and government relations. The UNC System Office also has administrative oversight of a number of University affiliates, including PBS North Carolina, the North Carolina Arboretum, the NC State Education Assistance Authority, and University of North Carolina Press.
About the Team
The Strategy and Policy division is charged with enhancing and furthering the UNC System's strategic goals. The division partners with the President and chancellors on System-wide strategic initiatives, is responsible for the institutional performance measurement framework, and serves as a higher-education policy expert to the President, the Board of Governors, and the NC General Assembly. The division also tracks and assesses state and national trends in higher education, and their likely impact on the UNC System, and proactively identifies new initiatives to support System strategies. The division also provides oversight of the University and P12 Partnerships unit as well as the GEAR UP Program.
Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Doctoral degree in economics, public policy, education, political science, or a relevant social science discipline, or on track to complete a relevant doctoral degree by June 2025.
Required Competencies
• Interest in post-graduation outcomes and return on investment research • Knowledge of social science research methods and concepts (regression, econometrics, quasi-experimental methods, data mining, etc.) • Attention to detail • Strong organizational skills • Ability to work both as part of a team and individually while meeting deadlines • Ability to multitask and prioritize between multiple projects and deadlines
Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
• Experience working with unit record wage data or on projects examining post-graduate economic outcomes or return on investment • Experience working on multiple phases of research projects (project and research question formation, data management, analysis, dissemination) • Experience with coding in at least one statistical package such as SAS/STATA (preferred), or R, Python, etc.) • Experience using educational data and understanding its limitations • Experience with large, complex datasets and merging disparate data sources • Knowledge of research and trends in the measurement and analysis of student success during (academic performance, retention, persistence, graduation) and after college attendance (labor market outcomes)
Classification: Research Professional
Appointment Type: Time Limited
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Employment Type: EHRA
EHRA Category: Exempt Professional Staff (EPS)
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Position Number: 20064589
Special instructions to applicants: The posting remains open until filled, but applications received by August 16, 2024 will receive priority consideration.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Information
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: [email protected].
To Apply, visit:
https://apptrkr.com/5491084
