Research Assistant - Strengthening Families Research Initiative

The Strengthening Families Research Initiative at the University of Notre Dame is looking for a Research Assistant who will support the work of Professor Melissa Kearney and scholars affiliated with the Initiative on policy-relevant research to create evidence around what works in the effort to build strong families. 

The Strengthening Families Research Initiative at the University of Notre Dame is a recent Initiative dedicated to finding evidence-based ways to promote and strengthen healthy families. The Initiative aims to improve the well-being of children, adults, and communities through rigorous academic research and by engaging stakeholders in the policy and non-profit community to identify and promote policy-relevant evidence. The initiative is housed in the Notre Dame Department of Economics and is aligned with the university-wide Poverty Initiative.

The Research Assistant will work closely with Professor Melissa Kearney on various research projects and other short form material aimed at improving the lives of families through evidence-based policy action. Efforts deemed substantial enough have the potential for co-authorship on published papers. 

The Research Assistant's top priorities will be:

• Data Collection, Management, and Analysis (50%)
  • Clean, organize, and construct datasets to ensure accuracy and consistency of data 
  • Perform analyses and produce key figures and results. Translate data into data visualization for web and social media 
  • Assist with survey data collection by preparing survey instruments, recruiting for surveys, and analyzing survey results
  • Monitor data quality and troubleshoot issues during collection.
• Project Management and Departmental Support (20%)
  • Drive forward and manage a portfolio of various research projects at varying stages of the research lifecycle
  • Liaise between PIs, Initiative leadership, and community partners
  • Carry out team-identified projects aimed at improving internal processes
  • Mentor undergraduate interns during a ten-week summer internship and/or the academic year.
• Writing and Dissemination (30%) 
  • Assist in the composition of key project documents (e.g. pre-analysis plans, literature reviews, grant proposals and reports, research paper drafts, etc.)
  • Draft and execute important contracts (e.g. data-sharing agreements, reliance agreements, IRB proposals / amendments, etc.)
  • Present results and project updates to agency partners, Initiative leadership and staff, and other key stakeholders, attending conferences and other venues as needed
  • Draft policy briefs and other short form writing materials for non-academic audiences.

Additional details

This position is a 1-year appointment at the University of Notre Dame with the possibility of renewal for a second term. The ideal candidate is interested in investing 2 years in the role. 

Research Assistants are supported by a positive work environment and a robust team of fellow researchers, including other early career researchers and research faculty. 

After completing their term, Research Assistants will be well equipped to attend master’s and PhD programs or pursue careers in education, government, entrepreneurship, economics, administration, consulting, and more.

Qualifications

We encourage you to apply for this position even if you do not possess every skill or qualification listed.

Required:

• A deep commitment to the mission of both the Strengthening Families Research Initiative and the University of Notre Dame
• A bachelor’s degree in Economics or related social science field
• Training in econometric and/or statistical techniques 
• Statistical programming experience (STATA, R, SAS)
• Highly organized with the ability to juggle multiple demands and timelines simultaneously
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong project management skills
• Self-directed with the willingness to take initiative over project tasks and offer input.