Research Analyst for State and Local Government Initiative

Are you an inquisitive, creative, passionate, data-driven researcher with an interest in economics and public policy?  The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is seeking 3-4 full-time predoc Research Analysts for a one-year fixed-term position.  We invite you to join us to help improve economic policymaking and governance by state and local governments throughout the U.S. Our team works on a wide variety of topics, including pensions/public finance, energy policy, taxes, economic development, workforce training, and more. 

Please submit a cover letter and resume for full consideration

About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution: The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace is a public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy—both domestic and foreign—as well as international affairs. 

Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I.  The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history.  Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges.

With its eminent scholars and world-renowned library and archives, the Hoover Institution seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity, while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all humanity.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Hoover Institution’s State and Local Governance Initiative seeks a capable, self-starting, predoc Research Analysts who is interested in working on a wide variety of topics, including education/workforce development, business incentives, energy, public policy, and debt. The team, led by a Hoover Senior Fellow/Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor of Finance, produces novel and impactful research aimed at providing state and local policymakers with data-driven, evidence-based policy solutions.

The successful candidate for this role will be able to manage and analyze large amounts of information, typically technical or scientific in nature, under the direction of project researchers, investigators, or managers. They will also need to present findings in organized, professional documents. Finally, an ability to multitask and appropriately prioritize different projects will be essential. 

CORE DUTIES*:

• Collect data from a variety of sources, including proprietary, surveys, and government records. Manage and clean datasets.
• Employ new and existing tools to interpret, analyze, and visualize multivariate relationships and trends in data to generate insights.
• Create databases and reports, develop algorithms and statistical models, and perform statistical analyses appropriate to data and reporting requirements.
• Use system reports and analyses to identify potentially problematic data, make corrections, and suggest solutions.
• Conduct literature reviews and develop written summaries and reports. Prepare charts, graphs and tables for use by senior researchers and fellows, and for publication and presentation.
• Analyze data processes in documentation.
• Collaborate with faculty and research staff on data collection and analysis methods.
• Provide documentation based on audit and reporting criteria to investigators and research staff.
• Communicate with government officials, agencies, and industry representatives.

*The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.  Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.  Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience: 

Bachelor's degree in economics, finance, statistics, public policy, engineering, or a related field, or a combination of education and relevant experience in a quantitative discipline.

Relevant experience may include: Research assistance for a professor of economics, finance, or statistics; analyst position of substantive internship in economic or financial consulting; analyst position or substantive internship in a government agency such as a central bank, tax authority or treasury/finance department. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Substantial experience with MS Office and analytical programs.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload

Desired/Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Effective communication skills, and comfort working with prominent individuals.
• An understanding of domestic and international economic policy - including but not limited to taxation, government budgeting - and the effects of these on economic activity, is strongly desired.
• Experience analyzing datasets about taxation or government budgeting.
• Coursework or experience in financial economics or portfolio analysis.
• Experience with Stata and R.
• Programming proficiency and experience in other programming languages such as Matlab, Python, SAS, or C.
• Experience with data visualization tools, such as Tableau, to present large volumes of data in a user-friendly and visually pleasing format.

Certifications and Licenses:

• None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Sitting in place at computer for long periods of time with extensive keyboarding/dexterity.
• Occasionally use a telephone.
• Rarely writing by hand.
* Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May be required to work non-standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work.

The expected pay range for this position is $64,480 - $97,000 per annum.  Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

•Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .

The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.